Ready mixed concrete conveying apparatus

ABSTRACT

This invention relates to a ready mixed concrete conveying apparatus which carries up ready mixed concrete in the vertical direction, and continuously and quantitatively feeds out the concrete to a belt conveyor to continuously and quantitatively the concrete to a concrete placing position, wherein a lift which includes a boom with the belt conveyor and a tripper for taking out the concrete from the belt conveyor is arranged on a tower mast so as to be liftable, and the concrete which has been carried up by a container-like carrier arranged on the tower mast is continuously and quantitatively supplied to the belt conveyor on the boom by a supply device which is arranged on the container-like carrier or a transferring container for receiving the concrete from the container-like carrier.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a ready mixed concrete conveyingapparatus which can vertically convey ready mixed concrete up to arequired height, and which can continuously and quantitatively feed theconveyed ready mixed concrete onto a belt conveyor to continuously andquantitatively supply the ready mixed concrete to a concrete placingposition as a target position.

DISCUSSION OF THE BACKGROUND

Ready mixed concrete which is used at a concrete placing position suchas a dam is concrete which generally contains large diameter ofaggregates and poor mix (the mix proportion of concrete is small). Inaddition, in most of cases, the ready mixed concrete is required to beconveyed to a relatively high place. For these reasons, use of aconcrete pump is not appropriate to forcibly convey the ready mixedconcrete. In most of cases, use of a bucket has been adopted forconveyance.

Conveying and placing ready mixed concrete by such a bucket e.g. by useof a tower crane or a cable crane has an advantage in that ready mixedconcrete which includes aggregates having relatively large diameters of80 mm-150 mm and poor mix can be guided and placed to a high positionwithout its properties being degraded. On the other hand, it hasdisadvantages in that a small placing volume per a unit time lengthens aterm of construction work, and that each concrete placing intervalwidens to crease a problem in terms of thermal stress of placedconcrete.

Conveying and placing ready mixed concrete by a bucket using such atower crane requires an operator skilled in special technique of e.g.crane operation, which means that it is necessary to keep such a skilledoperator for a long term.

Conveying and placing ready mixed concrete by use of a cable cranerequires many facilities and much labor for stretching a cable, andinvolves inconvenience wherein the stretch of the cable and the like areaccompanied by environmental disruption.

A construction method of conveying ready mixed concrete by dump trucksis good at conveying and placing a large volume of ready mixed concretefor a relatively short time under good placing conditions. On the otherhand, such construction method requires that e.g. a cable crane or atower crane be additionally installed to place dam concrete by theseconventional construction methods when dam concrete placing is made at aportion close to the top of a dam with a narrow surface to place damconcrete, or at a riverbed.

A construction method of conveying ready mixed concrete by dump truckscreates problems in e.g. placing dam concrete at a small-scale dam wherea surface to place dam concrete is not suitable for dump trucks to runthereon, or placing dam concrete at a sand control dam where a surfaceto place dam concrete is not suitable for dump trucks to run thereoneither.

Taking these problems into account, it has been considered that when damconcrete is placed, a tower with a bucket elevator is installed to placedam concrete by use of the bucket elevator on the tower.

It is predicted that the construction method of placing dam concrete byuse of such a bucket elevator offers advantages in that it is possibleto convey ready mixed concrete including large diameter of aggregatesand having a low slump like the conventional bucket method, and that itis possible to convey more ready mixed concrete to a placing position incomparison with the conventional ready mixed concrete conveyance by useof e.g. a tower crane or a cable crane.

However, when such a bucket elevator is used to place dam concrete, itis supposed that the cost of equipment becomes comparatively high, thatit is inconveniently difficult to take out the dam concrete at anarbitrary position because of complexity in operations of e.g. drivingportions, and that the cost of maintenance increases in aninconveniently significant manner. It is also predicted that it isnecessary to wash many buckets whenever each concrete placing is made.

In addition, it is supposed that the engagement between chains andsprocket wheels, and the slide of buckets generate noise when the bucketelevator is operated.

It is also supposed that when ready mixed concrete to be placed, guidedby the bucket elevator is supplied to e.g. a belt conveyor provided on aboom, the supplied ready mixed concrete piles on the belt of the beltconveyor to disturb smooth operation of the belt conveyor. If the supplyof the ready mixed concrete to the belt conveyor by the bucket elevatoris decreased to keep smooth operation of the belt conveyor, it issupposed that conveying capacity of ready mixed concrete significantlylowers in comparison with the cost of equipment and the cost ofmaintenance.

It is one of principal objects of the invention to provide a ready mixedconcrete conveying apparatus capable of conveying ready mixed concreteto a concrete placing position in a continuous and quantitative mannerand in great quantity, thereby continuously placing a great deal ofready mixed concrete when various kinds of structures such as a dam, abuilding and a smokestack are constructed.

It is another principal object of the invention to provide a ready mixedconcrete conveying apparatus capable of being installed in a relativelysmall area, and of conveying ready mixed concrete in a continuous andquantitative manner and in great quantity in both cases of placingconcrete at a low position and placing concrete at a high position.

It is still another principal object of the invention to provide a readymixed concrete conveying apparatus capable of conveying concrete havinglarge diameter of aggregates and poor mix to a concrete placing positionin a continuous and quantitative manner and in great quantity.

It is a further principal object of the invention to provide a readymixed concrete conveying apparatus which can convey ready mixed concreteto a concrete placing position in a continuous and quantitative mannerand in great quantity, which can be installed in a relatively economicalmanner, and has no need of operation by a skilled operator and canoperate in low cost.

Other objects of the invention will become apparent from the detaileddescription.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In order to attain the objects by the present invention, the ready mixedconcrete conveying apparatus according to a first typical aspect of theinvention is constructed that it comprises a tower mast A, a lift Barranged on the tower mast A so as to be liftable, and a boom C which isarranged on the lift B so as to be swingable and which comprises asingle boom or a plurality of connected booms;

that the tower mast A is provided with a container-like carrier D usedfor conveyance of ready mixed concrete F so as to be liftable, and theboom C is provided with a belt conveyor G for conveyance of the concreteF fed from the carrier D directly or through transferring meansadditionally provided;

that a tripper H is arranged at the single boom C or at at least one ofthe connected booms C located at a mounting side to the lift B; and

that the carrier D is provided with supply means E for continuously andquantitatively feeding the concrete conveyed by the carrier D to thebelt conveyor G directly or through transferring means additionallyprovided.

In the ready mixed concrete conveying apparatus having such a structure,the ready mixed concrete F which has been carried up from a lowerportion of the tower mast A by the carrier D can be continuously andquantitatively fed to the belt conveyor G on the boom C by the supplymeans E on the carrier D. The concrete F thus continuously andquantitatively fed can be continuously and quantitatively fed toward aconcrete placing position from a leading end of the belt conveyor G orfrom an arbitrary position on the belt conveyor G by use of the tripperH.

Locating the supply position of the concrete F toward the concreteplacing position can be made by locating the take-out position of theconcrete F from the belt conveyor G, which is carried out by liftingoperation of the lift B on the tower mast A, swinging operation of theboom C on the lift B, and extending and withdrawing operation of anouter boom, or locating operation in displacement of the tripper H onthe boom C with respect to the boom C.

Next, in order to attain the objects, the ready mixed concrete conveyingapparatus according to a second typical aspect of the invention isconstructed so that it comprises a tower mast A, a lift B arranged onthe tower A so as to be liftable, a rotary portion N arranged on thelift B so as to be rotatable, and a boom C which is arranged on therotary portion N and which comprises a single boom or a plurality ofconnected booms;

that the tower mast A is provided with a container-like carrier used forconveyance of ready mixed concrete F so as to be liftable;

that the boom C is provided with a belt conveyor G for conveyance of theconcrete F fed from the carrier D directly or through transferring meansadditionally provided;

that a tripper H is arranged at the single boom C or at at least one ofthe connected booms located at a mounting side to the rotary portion N;and

that the carrier D is provided with supply means E for continuously andquantitatively feeding the concrete conveyed by the carrier D to thebelt conveyor G directly or through transferring means additionallyprovided.

In the ready mixed concrete conveying apparatus having such a structure,the ready mixed concrete F which has been carried up from a lowerportion of the tower mast A by the carrier D can be continuously andquantitatively fed by the supply means E on the carrier D to the beltconveyor G on the boom C directly or through the transferring meansadditionally provided. The ready mixed concrete F thus continuously andquantitatively fed can be continuously and quantitatively fed to aconcrete placing position from a leading end of the belt conveyor G orfrom an arbitrary position on the belt conveyor G by use of the tripperH.

Locating the supply position of the concrete F toward the concreteplacing position can be made by locating the take-out position of theconcrete F from the belt conveyor G, which is carried out by liftingoperation of the lift B on the tower mast A, rotary operation of therotary portion N on the lift B, and extending and withdrawing operationof an outer boom, or displacing operation of the tripper H on the boom Cwith respect to the boom C.

Next, in order to attain the objects, the ready mixed concrete conveyingapparatus according to a third typical aspect of the invention isconstructed so that it comprises a tower mast A standed so as to berotatable, a lift B arranged on the tower mast A so as to be liftable,and a boom C which is arranged on the lift B and which comprises asingle boom or a plurality of connected booms;

that the tower mast A is provided with a container-like carrier D usedfor conveyance of ready mixed concrete F so as to be liftable, and theboom C is provided with a belt conveyor G for conveyance of the concreteF fed from the carrier D directly or through transferring meansadditionally provided;

that a tripper H is arranged at the single boom C or at at least one ofthe connected booms C located at a mounting side to the lift D; and

that the carrier D is provided with supply means E for continuously andquantitatively feeding the concrete F conveyed by the carrier D to thebelt conveyor G directly or through the transferring means additionallyprovided.

In the ready mixed concrete conveying apparatus having such a structure,the ready mixed concrete F which has been carried up from a lowerportion of the tower mast A by the carrier D can be continuously andquantitatively fed by the supply means E on the carrier D toward thebelt conveyor G on the boom C. The ready mixed concrete F thuscontinuously and quantitatively fed can be continuously andquantitatively fed toward a concrete placing position from a leading endof the belt conveyor G or from an arbitrary position on the beltconveyor G by use of the tripper H.

Locating the supply position of the concrete F toward the concreteplacing position can be made by locating the take-out position of theconcrete F from the belt conveyor G, which is carried out by rotaryoperation of the tower mast A, lifting operation of the lift B on thetower mast A, and extending and withdrawing operation of an outer boom,or displacing operation of the tripper H on the boom C with respect tothe boom C.

Next, in order to attain the objects, the ready mixed concrete conveyingapparatus according to a fourth typical aspect of the invention isconstructed so that it comprises a tower mast A, a lift B arranged onthe tower mast A so as to be liftable, and a boom C which is arranged onthe lift B so as to be swingable and which comprises a single boom or aplurality of connected booms;

that the tower mast A is provided with a container-like carrier used forconveyance of ready mixed concrete F so as to be liftable, and the boomC is provided with a belt conveyor C for conveyance of the concrete F;

that the lift D or the boom C is provided with a transferring containerM which includes a receiving container P for receiving the concrete Ffrom the carrier D directly or through transferring means additionallyprovided, and supply means E for continuously and quantitatively feedingthe received concrete F to the belt conveyor G directly or throughtransferring means additionally provided; and

that a tripper H is arranged at the single boom C or at at least one ofthe connected booms C located at a mounting side to the lift D.

In the ready mixed concrete conveying apparatus having such a structure,the ready mixed concrete F which has been carried up from a lowerportion of the tower mast A by the carrier can be received in thereceiving container P of the transferring container M directly orthrough the transferring means additionally provided. The receivedconcrete F is continuously and quantitatively fed to the belt conveyor Gon the boom C from the supply means E on the transferring container Mdirectly or through the transferring means additionally provided. Theconcrete F thus continuously and quantitatively fed can be fed from anarbitrary position on the belt conveyor G toward a concrete placingposition using the tripper, or from a leading end of the belt conveyor Gtoward the concrete placing position.

Locating the supply position of the concrete F toward the concreteplacing position can be made by locating the take-out position of theconcrete F from the belt conveyor G, which is carried out by liftingoperation of the lift B on the tower mast A, swinging operation of theboom C on the lift B, and extending and withdrawing operation of anouter boom, or displacing operation of the tripper H on the boom C withrespect to the boom C.

Next, in order to attain the objects, the ready mixed concrete conveyingapparatus according to a fifth typical aspect of the invention isconstructed so that it comprises a tower mast A, a lift B arranged onthe tower mast A so as to be liftable, a rotary portion N arranged onthe lift B so as to be rotatable, and a boom C which is arranged on therotary portion N and which comprises a single boom or a plurality ofconnected booms;

that the tower mast A is provided with a container-like carrier D usedfor conveyance of ready mixed concrete F so as to be liftable, and theboom C is provided with a belt conveyor G for conveyance of the concreteF;

that the lift D, the rotary portion N or the boom C is provided withtransferring container M which includes a receiving container P forreceiving the concrete F from the carrier D directly or throughtransferring means additionally provided, and supply means E forcontinuously and quantitatively feeding the received concrete F to thebelt conveyor G directly or through transferring means additionallyprovided; and

that a tripper is arranged at the single boom C or at at least one ofthe connected booms located at a mounting side to the rotary portion N.

In the ready mixed concrete conveying apparatus having such a structure,the ready mixed concrete F which has been carried up from a lowerportion of the tower mast A by the carrier D can be received to thereceiving container P on the transferring container M directly orthrough the transferring means additionally provided. The receivedconcrete F can be continuously and quantitatively fed to the beltconveyor G on the boom C by the supply means E on the transferringcontainer M. The concrete F thus continuously and quantitatively fed canbe continuously and quantitatively fed toward a concrete placingposition from a leading end of the belt conveyor G or toward theconcrete placing position from an arbitrary position on the beltconveyor G through the tripper H.

Locating the supply position of the concrete F toward the concreteplacing position can be made by locating the take-out position of theconcrete F from the belt conveyor G, which is carried out by liftingoperation of the lift B on the tower mast A, rotary operation of therotary portion N on the lift B, and extending and withdrawing operationof an outer boom, or displacing operation of the tripper H on the boom Cwith respect to the boom C.

Next, in order to attain the objects, the ready mixed concrete conveyingapparatus according to a sixth typical aspect of the invention isconstructed so that it comprises a tower mast A standed so as to berotatable, a lift B arranged on the tower mast A so as to be liftable,and a boom C which is arranged on the lift B so as to be swingable andwhich comprises a single boom or a plurality of connected booms;

that the tower mast A is provided with a container-like carrier D usedfor conveyance of ready mixed concrete F so as to be liftable, and theboom C is provided with a belt conveyor G for conveyance of the concreteF;

that the lift B or the boom C is provided with a transferring containerM which includes a receiving container P for receiving the concrete Ffrom the carrier D directly or through transferring means additionallyprovided, and supply means E for continuously and quantitatively feedingthe received concrete F to the belt conveyor G directly or throughtransferring means additionally provided; and

that a tripper H is arranged at the single boom C or at at least one ofthe connected booms located at a mounting side to the lift B.

In the ready mixed concrete conveying apparatus having such a structure,the ready mixed concrete F has been carried up from a lower portion ofthe tower mast A by the carrier D can be received into the receivingcontainer P on the transferring container M from the carrier D directlyor through the transferring means additionally provided. The receivedconcrete F can be continuously and quantitatively fed to the beltconveyor G on the boom C by the supply means E on the transferringcontainer M. The concrete F thus continuously and quantitatively fed canbe continuously and quantitatively fed to a concrete placing positionfrom a leading end of the belt conveyor G or to the concrete placingposition from an arbitrary position on the belt conveyor G using thetripper.

Locating the supply position of the concrete F toward the concreteplacing position can be made by locating the take-out position of theconcrete F from the belt conveyor G, which is carried out by rotaryoperation of the tower mast A, lifting operation of the lift B on thetower mast A, and extending and withdrawing operation of an outer boom,or displacing operation of the tripper H on the boom C with respect tothe boom C.

The ready mixed concrete conveying apparatus according to the first tothe sixth aspects of the invention may be constructed so that the towermast A is standed in a fixed state at a ready mixed concrete placingwork site. The conveying apparatus according to the first to the sixthaspects of the invention may be constructed so that it is movable in adirection along e.g. the crest of a dam to be constructed (the axialdirection of the dam), using rails and the like.

The boom C which is provided on the conveying apparatus according to thefirst to the sixth aspects of the invention may be constituted by a boomwhich is a single frame extending in the substantially horizontaldirection. The boom may also be constituted by an inner boom mounted tothe rotary portion N of the lift B in the substantially horizontaldirection, and not less than two outer booms with respect to the innerboom. The boom may also be constituted by a plurality of booms which arefixed together to form a single boom.

When the boom C is constituted by the plural booms, the apparatus isconstituted so that ready mixed concrete F is taken over from the beltconveyor G on the inner boom to the belt conveyor G on the outer boomsin turn.

The tripper H which is provided on the apparatus is arranged to bemovable with respect to the boom C when the apparatus have a singleboom.

When the boom C is constituted by the plural booms, the apparatus isconstituted so that the tripper H is arranged on all booms forming theboom C, the boom locating on the lift B of the boom C or at the mountingside to the rotary portion N, or a plurality of booms including at leastthe boom at the mounting side.

In the apparatus according to the second and the fifth aspects of theinvention, the boom C may be arranged on the rotary portion N so as tobe swingable, or may be arranged on the rotary portion N not to beswingable.

The apparatus according to the aspects stated earlier may include asingle container-like carrier D or a set of container-like carriers Dwhich are arranged on the tower mast A so as to be liftable.

When a single tower mast A includes a set of the container-like carriersD, the apparatus is preferably constituted so that the carriers feed theready mixed concrete F onto the belt conveyor G in turn, havingdifferent lift timing each other.

The container-like carrier D which is provided on the apparatus ispreferably constituted so that the carrier reciprocates vertically alongthe same plumb line as the tower mast A in the most typical mode.

The container-like carrier D may be constructed so that a liftingcarrier K which is provided on the tower mast A so as to be liftablesupports the container-like carrier in a riding state, a bridging stateor a suspending state, and that the lifting carrier K can be liftedusing a wire operated by e.g. a winch to lift the container-like carrierD with respect to the tower mast A. The container-like carrier D may beconstructed so that a wire operated by a winch can have an end connectedto the container-like carrier itself to directly lift the container-likecarrier D itself with respect to the tower mast A.

The container-like carrier D which constitutes a part of the ready mixedconcrete conveying apparatus according to the first to the third aspectsmay be provided with a screw feeder, a belt feeder and so on as thesupply means E which continuously and quantitatively feeds out theconcrete received by the carrier D. The container-like carrier isconstructed so that the ready mixed concrete is continuously andquantitatively fed to the belt conveyor G by the supply means E directlyor through the transferring means additionally provided.

The transferring container M which constitutes a part of the ready mixedconcrete conveying apparatus according to the fourth to the sixthaspects of the invention is constructed so that the ready mixed concreteF is fed from the container-like carrier D directly or the transferringmeans additionally provided. The transferring container M is constructedso that it has a lower side provided with the quantitative supply meansE such as screw feeder and a belt feeder, i.e. the supply means E whichcontinuously and quantitatively feeds out the concrete F housed in thetransferring container M toward the belt conveyor G. The transferringcontainer is constructed so that the supplied concrete F is fed to thebelt conveyor G by the supply means E directly or the transferring meansadditionally provided.

The expression "continuously" which is used with reference to the supplyof the concrete F by the supply means E which constitutes a part of theapparatus according to the aspects stated earlier does not mean onlythat the concrete F is fed onto the belt conveyor G in a continuousstrip form without any discontinuation. This expression also covers acase that even if the concrete F is intermittently fed onto the beltconveyor G in a discontinuous manner, the concrete F is discontinuouslyand sequentially provided onto the belt conveyor G in such a manner thatsuch discontinuous supply does not disturb the conveyance by the beltconveyor G and that the concrete placing surface is not adverselyeffected.

The expression "quantitatively" in the Description does not mean onlythat the ready mixed concrete is fed at an equal amount in the strictsense. This expression also covers a case that the ready mixed concreteF is fed having variations in supply in such a manner that the operationof the belt conveyor G is not disturbed and that a change in amountwhich has an adverse effect to the concrete placing surface does notoccur with time, i.e. that the concrete F fed onto the belt conveyor Gis fed keeping variations in supply within an acceptable range withtime.

The ready mixed concrete conveying apparatus according to the aspectsstated earlier is typical examples of the apparatus, and is not limitedto the structures stated earlier. The elements which has and will bedescribed are typical elements for the apparatus, and are not limited tothe specific forms which have and will be described. The invention canbe implemented in various forms by e.g. modifying the elements, oradding another element to the elements.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

In the accompanying drawings are shown typical and preferable modes ofthe present invention.

In particular, FIGS. 1-4 are schematic views of more typical examples ofpreferable modes of the present invention;

FIGS. 5-36 are views showing the ready mixed concrete conveyingapparatus according to a first mode;

FIGS. 37-44 are views showing the ready mixed concrete conveyingapparatus according to a second mode;

FIGS. 45-61 are views showing the ready mixed concrete conveyingapparatus according to a third mode;

FIGS. 62-68 are views showing the ready mixed concrete conveyingapparatus according to a fourth mode;

FIGS. 69-98 are views showing the ready mixed concrete conveyingapparatus according to a fifth mode; and

FIGS. 99-100 are views showing the ready mixed concrete conveyingapparatus according to a sixth mode.

In FIG. 1, a conveying apparatus wherein a container-like carrier Dwhich is provided with a supply means E for continuously andquantitatively feeding out ready mixed concrete F is used tocontinuously and quantitatively feed out the read mixed concrete F ontoa belt conveyor G of a swingable boom C provided on a lift B isschematically shown by its constituent element.

In FIG. 2, a conveying apparatus wherein a container-like carrier Dwhich is provided with supply means E for continuously andquantitatively feeding out ready mixed concrete F is used tocontinuously and quantitatively supply the ready mixed concrete F onto abelt conveyor G of a boom C of a rotary portion N provided on a lift Bso as to be rotatable is schematically shown by its constituent element.

In FIG. 3, a conveying apparatus wherein a transferring container Mwhich includes a receiving container P for ready mixed concrete F andsupply means E for continuously and quantitatively feeding out thereceived concrete F is incorporated into a transferring route fordelivering the concrete F from a container-like carrier D onto a beltconveyor G of a boom C provided on a lift B to continuously andquantitatively feed out the concrete F is schematically shown by itsconstituent element.

In FIG. 4, a conveying apparatus wherein a transferring container Mwhich includes a receiving container P for ready mixed concrete F andsupply means E for continuously and quantitatively feeding out thereceived concrete F is incorporated into a transferring route fordelivering the concrete F from a container-like carrier D onto a beltconveyor G of a boom C on a rotary portion N provided on a lift B so asto be rotatable is schematically shown by its constituent elements.

With respect to the ready mixed concrete conveying apparatus accordingto the first mode shown in FIGS. 5-36, FIG. 5 is a view of the entirestructure of the apparatus such as a tower mast A forming the apparatusas viewed from a side, FIG. 6 is a view of the state of FIG. 5 as viewedfrom another side, and FIG. 7 is a view showing the essential parts ofthe apparatus as viewed in plan.

FIGS. 8-13 are views showing the essential parts of a lower portion ofthe apparatus, FIG. 8 is a vertical sectional view showing the essentialparts for turning the tower mast A except for a running portion, andFIG. 9 is a transverse sectional view showing the essential parts asviewed downwardly from a portion of the tower mast A.

FIG. 10 is a view of the essential parts of the running portion of thetower mast A as viewed from a side, and FIG. 11 is a view of theessential parts of the running portion, taken in a directionperpendicular to rails 17.

FIGS. 12 and 13 are views showing a safety against overturning 16 at arail portion 17, FIG. 12 being viewed from a side, and FIG. 13 beingtaken in a direction perpendicular to the rails 17.

FIGS. 14-19 are views showing the essential parts of a climbing portionsuch as a lifting frame 20, FIG. 14 is a view showing the essentialparts of the climbing portion as viewed from a side of the tower mast A,and FIG. 15 is a view showing the essential parts of the climbingportion, taken in a direction perpendicular to the view of FIG. 14.

FIGS. 16-18 are views showing the essential parts of locking means whichis used together with the respective lifting means used on the climbingportion, FIG. 16 is a view as viewed from a side of the essential parts,FIG. 17 is a view taken in a direction perpendicular to the view of theFIG. 16, and FIG. 18 is a view showing a receiver 26 which constitutes apart of the locking means.

FIG. 19 is a transverse sectional view showing how the climbing portionwhich is vertically moved with respect to the tower mast A is engaged ina substantially horizontal direction.

FIGS. 20-22 are views showing a mounting portion of the boom C to thetower mast A, and how the boom is withdrawn and expended, and FIG. 20 isan enlarged sectional view showing the mounting portion of the boom C,in particular, the essential parts of a horizontal boom swinging device33 and the essential parts of a vertical boom swinging device having ashaft 34 as a rotary shaft.

FIGS. 21 and 22 are views showing means for withdrawing and extending anouter boom C" with respect to an inner boom C', FIG. 21 being viewedfrom a side, and FIG. 22 being viewed from upward, focusing on theessential parts and showing some parts in section.

FIGS. 23-26 views showing the belt conveyor G provided on the booms C'and C" and a tripper H for the belt conveyor G, FIG. 23 is a viewshowing the essential parts as viewed from a side, and FIG. 24 is asectional view showing a portion of the boom C as viewed from the frontof the belt conveyor G.

FIG. 25 is the sectional view showing the boom C as viewed from thefront of the belt conveyor G as the takeout side of the tripper H inorder to facilitate understanding of the tripper H provided on the innerboom C'.

FIG. 26 is a schematic view showing how the belt conveyor G provided onthe boom C moves.

FIGS. 27-31 are views showing how to lift the container-like carriers D,FIGS. 27-29 showing a first measure, and FIGS. 30 and 31 showing asecond measure.

FIG. 27 is a schematic side view showing how the container-like carriersD are vertically operated by the first lifting measure, FIG. 28 is aschematic view of the first measure as viewed from upward, and FIG. 29is the schematic view, taken in a direction substantially perpendicularto FIG. 27. With respect to the second lifting measure showing in FIGS.30 and 31, FIG. 30 is a schematic view of the second measure as viewedfrom a side of one of the container-like carrier D and so on, and FIG.31 is a schematic view as viewed from upward in FIG. 30.

FIG. 32 is a sectional view showing the essential parts of one of thecontainer-like carriers D which have screw feeders 75 formed inquantitative supply type of feeders E as a typical example.

FIGS. 33 and 34 are views partly in section showing the essential partsof chutes 70 for taking out the ready mixed concrete F from thecontainer-like carriers D onto the belt conveyor G, FIG. 33 being viewedfrom a side thereof, and FIG. 34 being viewed from the front thereof.

FIGS. 35 and 36 are views showing the essential parts of one of hoppers71 which are used as means for supplying the ready mixed concrete intothe container-like carriers D. In particular, in order to facilitateunderstanding of how the hoppers 71 operate, FIGS. 35A and 35B are planviews respectively showing side by side a state wherein the hopper 71 isdrawn to a side of a belt conveyor 77 and a state wherein the hopper isextended forwardly from the side of the belt conveyor 77 to locate thehopper 71 above the container-like carrier D in the tower mast A. FIG.36 is viewed from a side thereof.

FIGS. 37-44 are views showing the apparatus according to a second modeof the present invention as viewed from respective sides of the towermast A, FIG. 37 is viewed from a side of the tower mast, FIG. 38 is aview taken in a direction substantially perpendicular to the side ofFIG. 37, and FIG. 39 is viewed in plan.

FIGS. 40 and 41 are views showing the apparatus, in particular cranemeans J provided on the boom C, FIG. 40 being a view showing the cranemeans J, taken in a direction perpendicular to rails 84, and FIG. 41being a view showing the essential parts of the crane means J as viewedfrom upward.

FIGS. 42-44 are views showing another hopper for supplying the readymixed concrete F into the container-like carriers D in the tower mast A,FIG. 42 being a view of the essential parts of the hopper as viewed froma side thereof, FIG. 43 being a view as viewed in plan, and FIG. 44being a sectional view of a frame which is provided at a sliding portionof the hopper.

FIGS. 45-46 are views showing the tower mast A in the apparatusaccording to a third mode of the present invention as viewed fromrespective sides, FIG. 45 being viewed from a side of the tower mast A,and FIG. 46 being taken in a direction substantially perpendicular tothe side of FIG. 45.

FIG. 47 is an enlarged side view of the essential parts of the mountingportion of the boom C, and FIG. 48 is a schematic view showing theessential parts required for mounting the lift B to the tower mast A asviewed from upward.

FIGS. 49-58 are views showing means for conveying the container-likecarrier D using a lifting carrier K provided on the tower mast A, FIG.49 is a side view showing the essential parts required for loading thecontainer-like carrier onto the lifting carrier K of the tower mast Ausing a truck 88, and FIG. 50 is a side view of the essential parts,taken in a direction perpendicular to rails 96 for the truck 88.

FIG. 51 is a perspective view showing the essential parts of asuspending frame 87 used as the lifting carrier K and FIG. 52 is a viewshowing the essential parts of the suspending frame with thecontainer-like carrier D held therein. FIG. 53 is a sectional view takenon a portion of the tower mast A in order to facilitate a portion withthe container-like carriers D taken therein and how the lifting carriersK are incorporated into the tower mast A.

FIGS. 54-58 are views showing how to lift the container-like carriers Dusing the lifting carriers K, FIGS. 54-56 being views showing a firstmeasure and FIGS. 57 and 58 being views showing a second measure.

FIG. 54 is a schematic side view showing how the container-like carriersG are vertically operated by the first lifting measure, FIG. 55 is aschematic side view as viewed taken in a direction substantiallyperpendicular to the side of FIG. 54, and FIG. 56 is a schematic planview showing the vertical operation of the carriers.

With respect to the second lifting measure showing in FIGS. 57 and 58,FIG. 57 is a schematic view showing the second measure as viewed from aside of the container-like carrier D, and FIG. 58 is a schematic viewshowing the second measure as viewed from upward.

FIGS. 59-61 are schematic views showing different means for supplyingthe ready mixed concrete F into each container-like carrier D on thetruck 88.

FIGS. 62-68 are views showing the tower mast A in the apparatusaccording to a fourth mode of the present invention as viewed fromrespective sides, FIG. 62 is a schematic view showing the essentialparts of the tower mast A as viewed from a side thereof, FIG. 63 is aschematic view showing the essential parts taken in a directionsubstantially perpendicular to the side of FIG. 62, and FIG. 64 is aschematic view showing the essential parts as viewed from upward.

FIG. 65 is a schematic view of the essential parts necessary to show howthe lift B and the rotary portion N are incorporated into the tower mastA, and FIG. 66 is a schematic view of the essential parts as viewed fromupward.

FIGS. 67 and 68 are views showing transferring means L, FIG. 67 is aschematic view showing the transferring means L as viewed in plan, andFIG. 68 is a vertical sectional view of the essential parts of thetransferring means L.

FIGS. 69-98 are views showing the tower mast A and other members in theapparatus according to a fifth mode of the present invention as viewedfrom respective sides.

FIG. 69 is a schematic view showing the essential parts as viewed from aside of the tower mast A, FIG. 70 is a schematic view of the essentialparts taken in a direction substantially perpendicular to the side ofFIG. 69, and FIG. 71 is a schematic view of the essential parts asviewed from upward. FIG. 72 is a view of the top of the tower mast A asviewed from upward.

FIG. 73 is a schematic plan view of the essential parts necessary toshow how the lift B is mounted to the tower mast A.

FIG. 74 is a schematic view of the essential parts of a climbing portionof the lift B as viewed from a side thereof, and FIG. 75 is a schematicview of the essential parts taken in a direction substantiallyperpendicular to the side of FIG. 74.

FIG. 76 is a cross-sectional view of the essential parts of a guide forlifting the lift B along the tower mast A, and FIG. 77 is a sectionalview of the essential parts of a locking portion of the lift B to thetower mast A.

FIG. 78 is a side view showing the essential parts of a mounting portionof the boom C.

FIGS. 79-81 are views showing the essential parts of the tripper Hmounted on the boom C, FIG. 79 is a side view of the essential parts,FIG. 80 is a view of the essential parts, taken in a directionsubstantially perpendicular to the side of FIG. 79, and FIG. 81 is aview partly in section of the essential parts as viewed from upward.

FIG. 82 is a schematic view of the essential parts necessary to show howthe ready mixed concrete F is delivered from the container-like carrierD to the transferring container M.

FIG. 83 is a sectional view showing the essential parts of a mountingportion of a chute 165 which is used to deliver the ready mixed concreteF.

FIG. 84 is a schematic view of the essential parts which delivers theready mixed concrete F from the container-like carrier D to thetransferring container M, taken in a direction substantiallyperpendicular to the face of FIG. 82.

FIG. 85 is a schematic view showing the essential parts of an opening inthe container-like carrier D, and FIG. 86 is a sectional view showingthe essential parts of the opening in the container-like carrier D,taken in a direction substantially perpendicular to FIG. 85.

FIGS. 87-89 are views showing the transferring container M which has abelt feeder as the supply means E for continuously and quantitativelyfeeding out the ready mixed concrete F, FIG. 87 is a side view thereof,FIG. 88 is a view partly in section taken in a direction substantiallyperpendicular to FIG. 87, and FIG. 89 is a view partly in section asviewed from upward.

FIGS. 90-92 are views showing the transferring container M which has ascrew feeder as the supply means E for continuously and quantitativelyfeeding out the ready mixed concrete F, FIG. 90 is a side view thereof,FIG. 91 is a view partly in section thereof taken in a directionsubstantially perpendicular to FIG. 90, and FIG. 92 is a view partly insection thereof as viewed from upward.

FIG. 93 is a schematic plan view showing how the container-like carrierD is taken into a lower portion of the tower mast A.

FIGS. 94-96 are views showing the lifting carrier K, FIG. 94 is aperspective view thereof, FIG. 95 is a side view thereof, and FIG. 96 isa vertical sectional view thereof.

FIGS. 97 and 98 are views showing a cart 195, FIG. 97 is a side viewthereof, and FIG. 98 is a plan view partly in section thereof.

FIGS. 99 and 100 are schematic views of the essential parts of theapparatus according to a sixth mode of the present invention, as viewedfrom respective sides, FIG. 99 is a view showing how the transferringcontainer M is arranged at the rotary portion N or the boom C with therotary portion N, and FIG. 100 is a view showing how the transferringcontainer M is arranged on the lift B.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Now, preferred modes of the ready mixed concrete conveying apparatusaccording to the present invention will be described in detail.

The preferred mode described and shown hereinbelow are some of typicalmodes according to the present invention. The present invention is notlimited to the modes described and shown hereinbelow.

In order to more easily understand the invention and to more easilyunderstand the respective preferred modes explained in detailhereinbelow, more typical modes of the invention will be explained inshort with reference to FIGS. 1-4 before describing the preferred modes.

Firstly, the ready mixed concrete conveying apparatus shown in FIG. 1 isconstructed so that it comprises a tower mast A, a lift B arranged onthe tower mast A so as to be liftable, and a boom C which is arranged onthe lift B so as to be swingable mainly in the horizontal direction andwhich comprises two connected booms C' and C" in the example shown.

The tower mast A is constructed so that it is provided withcontainer-like carriers D used for conveyance of the ready mixedconcrete F so as to be liftable, and that the boom C is provided with abelt conveyor G for conveyance of the concrete F conveyed by thecontainer-like carriers D.

At least the inner boom C' of the boom C is provided with a tripper H.

The container-like carriers D are provided with supply means E forcontinuously and quantitatively feeding out the concrete F conveyed bythe carriers D. (In the example shown, the container-like carriers areconstructed as container-like carriers Da with the supply means E.)

The tower mast A shown is constituted by mast frames 3 which are placedso as to stand substantially in the vertical direction. The tower masthas spaces 4 formed therein so as to continuously extend throughout thelength thereof in the vertical direction.

The tower mast A is formed to be placed on a turntable 2, which ismounted on a base table 1 so as to be turnable. The tower mast is formedso as to be turnable by rotation of the turn table 2, having the centerline of the tower mast A in the plumb direction as a rotary axis.

The lift B arranged on the tower mast A is formed in a frameconstruction wherein the lift is assembled on the tower mast A so as toengage with the tower mast from outwardly. In the example shown, thelift B is constructed so that an upper lifting frame 20 and a lowerlifting frame 21 which are coupled together by hydraulic cylinders 23are positioned as a base, that a stage 18 is integrally provided on e.g.the upper lifting frame 20, and that a stage post 18A which is standedon the stage 18 so as to surround the tower mast A, and a supportingframe 110 which is assembled to the tower mast A so as to engage withthe tower mast from outwardly are connected by poles 111.

The lift B having such a structure is constructed so that the upperlifting frame 20, the stage 18, the stage post 18A, the supporting frame110 and so on are vertically movable in a single unit with respect tothe tower mast A.

The lift B is constructed so as to be moved up and down with referenceto the tower mast A by suitable climbing means.

Lifting the lift B is established by a lifting structure wherein thehydraulic cylinders 23 can be arranged between the upper lifting frame20 forming a part of the lift B and the lower lifting frame 21 providedon the tower mast A below the upper lifting frame 20 to relatively liftthe lifting frames 20 and 21 by use of the hydraulic cylinders 23. Thelift B is formed to have the upper lifting frame 20 and the lowerlifting frame 21 provided with locking means for locking the liftingframes 20 and 21 to the tower mast A at selective stopping positions,e.g. locking means for extending plunger rods of hydraulic cylinders 24to lock the lifting frames.

The boom C is constructed so that the outer boom C" is arranged on theinner boom C' so as to draw the outer boom C" from the inner boom C' andwithdraw the outer boom into the inner boom, and that the inner boom C'has the innermost end assembled to the lift B so as to be turnable.

Assembledge of the boom C in a turnable manner is established by astructure wherein the boom is assembled to the lift B by bearings 115and a boom swinging device 33 so as to be turnable substantially in thehorizontal direction.

The container-like carriers D which are moved up and down by a liftingwinch 63 with reference to the tower system are arranged to bevertically movable in the spaces 4 in the tower mast A.

The boom C is provided with belt conveyors G' and G" to correspond tothe inner boom C' and the outer boom C", thereby enabling the readymixed concrete F on the belt conveyor G" to be supplied onto the beltconveyor G".

The boom C, in particular the inner boom C' is provided with the tripperH in a movable manner to take out the concrete F conveyed by the beltconveyor G' laterally of the belt conveyor G' at a location on the beltconveyor G', or to supply the concrete F onto the belt conveyor G' ofthe boom C' at a leading edge of the boom C'.

In the ready mixed concrete conveying apparatus having such a structure,the ready mixed concrete F which has been housed in the container-likecarriers D at a lower portion of the tower mast A is carried up by thelifting winch 63, and the supply means E provided on the carriers D canfeed continuously and quantitatively feed the concrete F in the carriersD onto the belt conveyor G, or onto the belt conveyor G through aturnable chute 70 and a fixed chute 70' in the example shown.

In that manner, the belt conveyor G which has continuously andquantitatively received the ready mixed concrete F is constructed tosupply the concrete F to a concrete placing surface from a leading edgeof the belt conveyor G" on the outer boom C', or from the belt conveyorG' using the tripper H.

In the ready mixed concrete conveying apparatus having such a structure,firstly, rails 17 are used to move the tower mast A upto a targetposition and set it there.

Next, the lifting frames 20 and 21 are used to set the lift B withrespect to the tower mast A at a height appropriate to constructionwork.

In addition, at the same time, the boom C is turned to a locationappropriate to placing the concrete F and is set there.

The apparatus can be used so that, first, the concrete is supplied toconcrete placing surfaces from the leading edge of the belt conveyor G"on the outer boom C" while gradually withdrawing the outer boom C" fromsuch a state, e.g. from a state with the outer boom C" extended to thefull, and second, the concrete F is supplied concrete placing surfaceswhile moving the tripper H on the inner boom C' toward the innermost endof the inner boom C' from the position where the outer boom C" has beenunable to supply the concrete F to the concrete placing surfaces.

The apparatus can also be used by operation reverse to the operationstated above, i.e. the apparatus can also be used so that, first, theconcrete F is placed while gradually moving the tripper H from theinnermost end of the inner boom C' on the boom C toward the outermostend of the inner boom, and second, the concrete F is placed from theleading end of the belt conveyor G" on the boom C" while graduallyextending the boom C" from a state with the boom C" withdrawn.

The apparatus can be used so that the concrete F is supplied torespective concrete placing surfaces from the leading end of the beltconveyor G" on the outer boom C" or the tripper H on the inner boom C'while turning the boom C.

The apparatus can be used so that the tower mast A is located at anangular position or is rotating with respect to the base table 1 betweeneach operation or during each operation.

The apparatus can be used so that the tower mast A moves on the rails 17to be located at a location, or is moving on the rails between eachoperation or during each operation.

The apparatus can be used so that the lift B is moved up and downbetween each operation or during each operation.

The tower mast A having such a structure may be constructed so that itdoes not move on the rails, i.e. the base table 1 is fixed at aninstallation place.

The tower mast may be constructed so that the mast frames 3 are directlyassembled to the base table 1 without use of the turn table 2, i.e. thetower mast A does not turn.

The boom C may be constituted by a single boom instead of using twobooms, i.e. the inner boom C' and outer boom C" connected together, orby not less than three connected booms.

The plural booms may be fixed together like a single boom, i.e. may beneither extensible nor withdrawable.

The boom C having such a structure has the tripper provided thereon whenthe boom C is constituted by a single boom.

When the plural booms are formed not to be extensible and withdrawablelike a single boom, the respective belt conveyors G on the boom C as thesingle boom have the trippers provided thereon so as to take out theconcrete F at the respective belt conveyors G.

In the boom C which is provided with a withdrawable and extensible boom,the boom which is at the mounting side to the lift B is provided withthe tripper H.

Although the carriers G are constructed so as to be carried up bylifting carriers K in the example shown, the lifting winch 63 may havewire ropes 65 connected to the carriers D directly.

Although the turnable chute 70 and the fixed chute 70' are used tocontinuously and quantitatively supply the concrete F to the beltconveyor G by the carrier D, in particular the supply means E in theexample shown, the concrete F may be transferred to the belt conveyor Gby other transferring means than the chute, or the concrete F may becontinuously and quantitatively fed onto the belt conveyor G directlyfrom the supply means E provided on the carriers D.

In FIG. 1, reference numerals 48 and 52 designate driving motors for thebelt conveyor G, and reference numerals 46, 47, 49 and 50 designatepulleys for the belt conveyor G.

Next, the ready mixed concrete conveying apparatus shown in FIG. 2 isconstructed so that it comprises the tower mast A, the lift B arrangedon the tower mast A so as to be liftable, a rotary portion N arranged onthe lift B so as to be rotatable, and the boom C which is arranged onthe rotary portion N and which comprises a single boom or a plurality ofconnected booms.

The tower mast A is constructed so that it is provided with thecontainer-like carriers used for conveyance of the ready mixed concreteF so as to be liftable, and that the boom C is provided with the beltconveyor G for conveyance of the concrete F conveyed by the carriers D.

At least the inner boom C' of the boom C is provided with the tripper H.

The carriers D are formed to be provided with the supply means E forcontinuously and quantitatively feeding out the concrete F conveyed bythe carriers D. (In the example shown, the carriers are formed as thecontainer-like carriers Da with the supply means E.)

In the ready mixed concrete conveying apparatus shown in FIG. 2 has thesame or substantially the same structure as the conveying apparatusshown in FIG. 1 except that the tower mast A does not include the turntable 2, that the boom C is formed to be arranged at the rotary portionN on the lift B so as to be rotatable around the lift B, consequentlyaround the tower mast A, that, with such changes in structure, e.g. thelifting winch 63 is arranged directly on the top of the tower mast A,and that the transferring means L such as a rotary feeder is provided inorder to deliver the ready mixed concrete F from the container-likecarriers D onto the belt conveyor G.

For these reasons, constituent elements which are the same orsubstantially the same as those of the apparatus of FIG. 1 are indicatedby the same reference symbols, and explanation on these elements will beomitted.

In the apparatus shown in FIG. 2, the lift B which includes the liftingframe 21, the lifting frame 20 and so on has the rotary portion Nassembled thereto so as to be rotatable.

The lift B which is arranged on the tower mast A is constructed so thatthe lifting frame 20, the lifting frame 21, members assembled thereto,and the supporting frame 110 engaged with the tower mast A fromoutwardly are connected together by the poles 111, and that the membersthus connected as a whole are raised and lowered with respect to thetower mast A.

The rotary portion N which is assembled to the lift B is formed to beprovided with a stage 117 and a rotary frame 118. Posts 118b which arestanded from the stage 117 so as to surround the lift B, and an annularframe 118a which connects top ends of the posts 118b constitute therotary frame 118. The rotary portion is formed to be assembled to thelifting frame 20, the supporting frame 110 and so on of the lift B so asto be rotatable.

As stated above, there is provided with the structure wherein the rotaryportion N is rotatably arranged on the lift B which is liftably providedon the tower mast A, and wherein the boom C is arranged on the rotaryportion N. This structure can fully guide the boom C to a positionappropriate to concrete placing by rotating the rotary portion N withrespect to the lift B.

The tower mast A having the structure does not need to be formed so asto be rotatable itself.

It is not an essential feature that the boom C is arranged on the rotaryportion N so as to be turnable.

The method of conveying ready mixed concrete according to the apparatusshown in FIG. 2 is different from that according to the apparatus ofFIG. 1 in that the ready mixed concrete F which has been carried up bythe container-like carriers D is delivered to feeding means L such as arotary feeding using e.g. the chutes 70 and 70', and then the concreteis delivered on the belt conveyor G using e.g. a chute 123. In otherrespects, the conveying method of the ready mixed concrete F may be thesame or substantially the same as that according to the conveyingapparatus of FIG. 1.

The method of placing ready mixed concrete using the apparatus shown inFIG. 2 can continuously and quantitatively supply the ready mixedconcrete to a position appropriate to concrete placing by using thelifting frames 20 and 21 to raise or lower the lift B along the towermast A upto a height appropriate concrete placing, locating the rotaryportion N at such an angular position to locate the boom C at a positionappropriate to the concrete placing, and carrying out extending andwithdrawing operation of the outer boom C" and displacing operation ofthe tripper H like the apparatus shown in FIG. 1.

The apparatus may be used so that the rotary portion N is turned at aninterval between each concrete placing using the extending andwithdrawing operation of the outer boom C" and the displacing operationof the tripper H, or that the rotary portion N is turned while carryingout concrete placing using the extending and withdrawing operation ofthe outer boom C" and the displacing operation of the tripper H.

The apparatus shown in FIG. 2 may be formed to be movable using therails like the apparatus shown in FIG. 1, though not shown. In thatcase, the apparatus may be used so as to move and set the tower mast Aat a ready mixed concrete placing position before carrying out eachoperation stated above, or to carry out each operation while moving thetower mast A.

The apparatus shown in FIG. 2 is constructed so that the concrete F iscarried up by the carrier D, the chutes 70 and 70' are used to deliverthe concrete F to the feeding means L such as a rotary feeder arrangedso as to be around the tower mast A, and then the concrete F deliveredto the feeding means L is in turn delivered to the belt conveyor G usingthe chute 123. However, the apparatus may be constructed so that theconcrete F is delivered from the carriers D directly to the feedingmeans L.

The apparatus may be constructed so that the concrete F which has beencarried up by the carriers D is delivered to the belt conveyor from thecarriers D without the feeding means L or through e.g. the chute.

The apparatus may be constructed so that the concrete F which has beendelivered to the feeding means L is delivered to the belt conveyor Gfrom the feeding means L directly or using other means than the chute123.

Next, the ready mixed concrete conveying apparatus shown in FIG. 3 isconstructed so that it comprises the tower mast A, the lift B arrangedon the tower mast A so as to be liftable, and the boom C which isarranged on the lift B so as to be swingable mainly in the horizontaldirection and which comprises two connected booms in the example shown.

The tower mast A is provided with the container-like carriers D used forconveyance of the ready mixed concrete F (container-like carriers Dbwithout the supply means E) so as to be liftable, and the boom C isprovided with the belt conveyor G for conveyance of the concrete Ftransferred by the carriers D.

The inner boom C' of the boom C is provided with the tripper H.

A transferring route between the conveyance of the concrete F by thecarriers D and the conveyance of the concrete F by the belt conveyor Gcontains a transferring container M which is provided with receivingmeans P for receiving the concrete F conveyed by the carriers D andsupply means E for continuously and quantitatively feeding out thereceived concrete F. In particular, in the example shown, the lift B orthe boom C is formed to be provided with the transferring container M.

The conveying apparatus shown in FIG. 3 is constructed so that thetransferring container M which is provided with the receiving means Pfor receiving the concrete F conveyed by the carriers D and the supplymeans E for continuously and quantitatively feeding out the receivedconcrete F is arranged on the lift B or the boom C, and that theconcrete F carried up by the carriers D is fed out to the belt conveyorG through the transferring container M to eliminate the need forarranging on the carriers D the supply means E for continuously andquantitatively feeding out the concrete F. The other constituentelements are the same or substantially the same as those of theapparatus shown in FIG. 1.

For these reasons, constituent elements which are the same orsubstantially the same as those of the apparatus of FIG. 1 are indicatedby the same reference symbols, and explanation on these elements will beomitted.

In the conveying apparatus shown in FIG. 3, the transferring container Mis arranged on the lift B. The transferring container M is formed to beprovided with the receiving means P for receiving the concrete F fromthe carriers D, and the supply means E for continuously andquantitatively feeding out the concrete F, such a screw feeder and abelt feeder.

In the conveying apparatus having such a structure, the moving operationof the tower mast, the lifting operation of the lift B, the swingingoperation of the boom C, the extending and withdrawing operation of theouter boom C", and the displacing operation of the tripper H can becarried out by the same method as the conveying apparatus shown in FIG.1.

The concrete F which has been carried up by the carriers D is guided tothe transferring container M by chutes 165 and 168 first. The concrete Fthus guided is continuously and quantitatively fed out to the beltconveyor G by the supply means E which is arranged on the transferringcontainer M to continuously and quantitatively feed out the concrete.The concrete F which has been guided to the belt conveyor G is suppliedto a concrete placing position from the leading edge of the beltconveyor G" of the outer boom C" or the tripper H of the inner boom C".

Such concrete placing can be controlled by the moving operation of thetower mast A, the lifting operation of the lift B, the swingingoperation of the boom C, the extending and withdrawing operation of theouter boom C", the displacing operation of the tripper H or the like.The concrete placing can be made while carrying out each operation.

The conveying apparatus shown is constructed so that the tower mast A ismovable on the rails 17, and that the turn table 2 allows the tower mastA to rotate. The apparatus may be constructed so that the tower mast Ais not movable on the rails 17, and that the tower mast is standed at aconcrete placing site so as to be rotatable by the turn table 2.

The apparatus may be constructed so that the tower mast A is notprovided with the turn table 2 and that the tower mast is movable on therails 17.

When the tower mast A is formed to be rotatable by the turn table 2. Theboom C may be fixed to the lift B not to be swingable.

Although the transferring container M is constructed so that it isarranged on the lift B, the transferring container M may be arranged onthe boom C provided on the lift B.

Delivering the concrete F from the carriers D into the transferringcontainer M may be made through other chuting means than the chutes 165and 168, or other suitable transferring means.

There may be provided an arrangement wherein delivering the concrete Fis made from the carriers D directly to the transferring container Mwithout help of such transferring means.

Delivering the concrete F from the transferring container M onto thebelt conveyor G can be made through a chute, or other suitabletransferring means.

There may be provided an arrangement wherein delivering the concrete Fis made from the transferring container M directly to the belt conveyorG without help of these transferring means.

Next, the conveying apparatus shown in FIG. 4 is constructed so that itcomprises the tower mast A, the lift B arranged on the tower mast A soas to be liftable, the rotary portion N arranged on the lift B so as tobe rotatable, and the boom C which is arranged on the rotary portion Nand which comprises two connected booms C' and C".

The tower mast A is constructed so that the container-like carriers Dused for conveyance of the concrete F (the container-like carriers Dbwithout the supply means E in the example shown) are arranged so as tobe liftable, and that the boom C is provided with the belt conveyor Gfor conveyance of the concrete F conveyed by the carriers D.

The inner boom C' of the boom C has the tripper H provided thereon.

A transferring route between the conveyance of the concrete F by thecarriers D and the conveyance of the concrete F by the belt conveyor Gcontains the transferring container M which is provided with thereceiving container P for receiving the concrete conveyed by thecarriers D and the supply means E for continuously and quantitativelyfeeding out the received concrete F. The transferring container M isconstructed so that it is arranged on the lift B, the rotary portion Nor the boom C.

The conveying apparatus shown in FIG. 4 has the same or substantiallythe same structure as the conveying apparatus shown in FIG. 2 exceptthat the concrete F which has been carried up by the carriers D isdelivered to the belt conveyor G through the transferring container M.

For these reasons, constituent elements which are the same orsubstantially the same as those of the apparatus shown in FIG. 2 areindicated by the same reference symbols, and explanation on theseelements will be omitted.

The conveying apparatus shown in FIG. 4 is constructed so that thetransferring container M is arranged on the rotary portion N, inparticular, on the boom C in the example shown, and that thetransferring container M is provided with the receiving container P forreceiving the concrete F carried up by the carriers D and the supplymeans E for continuously and quantitatively feeding out the receivedconcrete F.

Accordingly, the container-like carriers D which are arranged on thetower mast A so as to be liftable are constructed so that they are notprovided with the supply means E for continuously and quantitativelyfeeding out the concrete F.

The apparatus having such a structure can continuously andquantitatively supply the concrete F to a position appropriate toconcrete placing by substantially the same method as the apparatus shownin FIG. 2, i.e. by using the lifting frames 20 and 21 to raise or lowerthe lift B along the tower mast A up to a height of appropriate toconcrete placing, locating the rotary portion N at such an angularposition to locate the boom C at the position appropriate to concreteplacing, carrying out the extending and withdrawing operation of theouter boom C" and the displacing operation of the tripper H.

The apparatus may be used so that the rotary portion N is turned at aninterval between each concrete placing using the extending andwithdrawing operation of the outer boom C' and the displacing operationof the tripper H, or the rotary portion N is turned while carrying outconcrete placing using the extending and withdrawing operation of theouter boom C' and the displacing operation of the tripper H.

The apparatus shown in FIG. 4 may be formed to be movable using therails like the apparatus shown in FIG. 1, though not shown. In thatcase, the apparatus may be used so as to move and set the tower mast Aat the ready mixed concrete placing position before carrying out eachoperation stated above, or to carry out each operation while moving thetower mast A.

The apparatus having such a structure is constructed so that theconcrete F which has been carried up by the carriers D on the tower mastA is delivered to the feeding means L, i.e. the rotary feeder rotatingaround the tower mast A in the example shown, using a chute 198, thatthe concrete F which has been received into the feeding means L isdelivered to the transferring container M using a chute 199, and thatthe concrete F is continuously and quantitatively fed out to the beltconveyor G from the transferring container M.

In this manner, the concrete F thus guided to the belt conveyor G iscontinuously and quantitatively fed to the concrete placing positionfrom the leading edge of the belt conveyor G on the outer boom C", orthe tripper H.

Delivering the concrete F from the container-like carriers D to thetransferring container M can be made so that, for example, the concreteF is delivered from the carriers D directly to the feeding means L, suchas the rotary feeder, rotating around the tower mast A.

The apparatus may be constructed so that the concrete F is deliveredfrom the feeding means L directly to the transferring container Mwithout help of the chute 199.

The apparatus may be constructed so that the concrete F is transferredfrom the carriers D to the transferring container M directly or throughe.g. a chute without provision of the feeding means L.

The transferring container M which is provided with the receivingcontainer P for receiving the concrete F and the supply means E forcontinuously and quantitatively feeding out the received concrete F maybe arranged on the boom C like the example shown, or may be provided onthe rotary portion N with the boom C assembled thereto. The transferringcontainer M may be formed to be provided on the lift B with the rotaryportion N assembled thereto.

(1) Ready mixed concrete conveying apparatus according to a first mode

Firstly, the ready mixed concrete conveying apparatus according to afirst mode shown in FIGS. 5-36 will be explained.

The apparatus according to the first mode is constructed so that itcomprises the tower mast A, the lift B arranged on the tower mast A soas to be liftable, and the boom C arranged on the lift B so as to beturnable mainly in the horizontal direction.

The boom C which is arranged on the lift B is constituted by the innerboom C' and the outer boom C" connected thereto, and the outer boom C"is formed so as to be extensible from and withdrawn into the inner boomC'.

The tower mast A is provided with the container-like carriers D used forconveyance of the ready mixed concrete F so as to be liftable.

The inner boom C' and the outer boom C" of the boom C are provided withthe belt conveyor G' and G" for taking over the concrete F one afteranother, presenting a structure to convey the concrete F supplied fromthe carrier D directly or through transferring means additionallyprovided.

The boom C is provided with the trippers H which feed the conveyedconcrete F into the belt conveyor G" of the outer boom C", takes out theconcrete F at a position on the belt conveyor G' and G", or takes outthe concrete at the leading edge of the belt conveyor G".

The container-like carriers D are provided with supply means E forcontinuously and quantitatively feeding out the concrete F conveyed bythe carriers D.

The concrete F which has been conveyed by the carriers D is continuouslyand quantitatively fed out by the supply means E on the carriers D tothe belt conveyor G for conveyance directly or the transferring meansadditionally provided.

The conveying apparatus according to the first mode is constructed sothat the tower mast A forming a part of the apparatus is standed so asto be rotatable using its vertical axis as the rotary axis.

The apparatus according to the first mode is formed to be movable alongthe rails 17 in the horizontal direction.

The tower mast A forming a part of the apparatus can be standed byvarious standing methods. For example, in this mode, the turntable 2 isarranged on the basic table 1 so as to be rotatable, the respective mastframes 3, 3 . . . are assembled to the turntable, and the spaces 4 areprovided within the mast frames so as to raise and lower a pair of thecarriers D and D.

The tower mast A which is constituted by the mast frames 3, 3 . . . hasthe lift B mounted thereto to be engaged therewith from outwardly. Theclimbing means which forms a part of the lift can be activated to therespective mast frames 3, 3 . . . to move the lift B vertically withrespect to the tower mast A.

The turntable 2 which the tower mast A stands on is constructed so thata normal load is received by lower rollers 5, 5 . . . and lower slideshoes 6 on the basic table 1, and that an overturning moment is receivedby upper rollers 8, 8 . . . which are arranged on overturning preventingarms 7, 7 . . . extended from the turntable 2 upwardly.

The turntable 2 has a central portion formed with a bearing portion 9,which has a center post 10 of the base table 1 engaged therewith throughan slide shoe 11 to bear a thrust load caused on the tower mast A.

In this manner, the tower mast A is constructed so that it can rotatewith respect to the tower mast A, having the center line of the centerpost 10 in the vertical direction as the rotary center line.

In order to rotate the tower mast A, there is provided slewing drivemeans wherein a sprocket 14 with a slewing motor 13 is engaged with achain 12 wound on an outer periphery of an annular frame 2a of theturntable 2 (see FIGS. 8 and 9).

The base table 1 has a lower side provided with four set of runningmeans 15, 15 . . . and overturn-preventing means 16, providing astructure wherein the tower mast A can move on the rails 17 and 17 fixedon an installation site.

In the specific example shown, the running means 15 of the basic table 1are constructed so that each pair of wheels 15c and 15c is rotatablyarranged on a wheel frame 15b rotatably mounted to the base table 1 byuse of a shaft 15a, that a gear 15d arranged to coaxial with each wheel15c is engaged with a driving gear 15f driven by a driving motor 15emounted to the wheel frame 15b, and that the tower mast A can be movedalong the rails 17 at any time (see FIGS. 10 and 11).

Each overturn-preventing means 16 which is provided on the lower side ofthe basic table 1 is constructed so that it includes a pair of clampingpieces 16a and 16a having inner surfaces of the leading edges providedwith clamping projections 16f facing each other. The clamping pieces 16aand 16a can clamp the web of a rail 17 on both sides to produce anengagement state with a rail head 17a. In addition, a control wheel 16dwith a threaded shaft 16c passing through the paired clamping pieces 16aand 16a is tightened, specifically, the threaded shaft 16c is screwedinto a nut 16e provided on one 16a of the paired clamping pieces, andthe paired clamping pieces 16a and 16a are drawn together by rotatingthe control wheel 16d, thereby presenting a structure to clamp andrelease the rails (see FIGS. 12 and 13).

Now, the lift B which is arranged on the tower mast A will be explainedreferring to FIGS. 14-19. The lift B which is arranged on the tower mastA so as to be liftable is constructed so that the lift has a baseconstructed by the upper lifting frame 20 and the lower lifting frame 21connected together by the hydraulic lifting cylinders 23, that the upperlifting frame 20 and the lower lifting frame 21 have the main stage 18and an auxiliary stage 19 formed, respectively, therewith, and that themain stage 18 has stage posts 18A formed therewith. The lift Bconstituted by these members has an arrangement wherein the lift ismounted to the standed tower mast A so as to surround the tower mast Aand engage with the tower mast from outwardly.

The main stage 18 which is arranged on the upper lifting frame 20 isformed as an annular frame to be engaged with the standed tower mast Afrom outwardly. The main stage has a lower side formed integrally withthe lifting frame 20 as the annular frame. The lower lifting frame 21which is formed as an annular frame is coupled to and below the upperlifting frame 20 through the hydraulic cylinders 23. The auxiliary stage19 which is arranged on the lower lifting frame 21 is mounted to thetower mast A be engaged with the tower mast from outwardly together withthe upper lifting frame 21.

The lift B which is constituted by the lifting frames 20 and 21, themain stage 18 and the auxiliary stage 19 assembled thereto and so on isconstructed so that the lifting frames include the annular frames, andthey have openings 22 facing each other, i.e. openings 22 engaged withthe tower mast A.

The lifting operation of the lift B thus constructed is carried outmainly by the lifting frames 20 and 21. The lifting frames 20 and 21 areformed in a substantially square frame shape so as to surround the mastframes 3, 3 of the tower mast A, and can vertically move along the outerperiphery of the tower mast A.

Shafts 23a are used to mount the hydraulic lifting cylinders 23, 23 . .. to four corners of the lifting frame 21 so as to stand therefrom, andthe hydraulic lifting cylinders 23 have plunger rods 23b mounted to theupper lifting frame 20 using shafts 23c, presenting a structure whereinthe respective lifting frames 20 and 21 can be raised and lowered by thehydraulic cylinder 23.

It is clearly shown in e.g. FIG. 19 how the lift B, in particular thelifting frames 21 and 21 are assembled to the mast frames 3.

In this mode, the tower mast A is constructed so that an imaginary planewith main masts 3a, 3a . . . standed on four corners thereof issubstantially rectangular, that the main mast have auxiliary posts 3barranged therebetween at longer sides, and that the main mast and theauxiliary posts 3b are suitably connected by crossbars 3c, allowing thecontainer-like carriers D to vertically move in the respective spaces 4defined by the paired main masts 3a, 3a at the shorter sides and theauxiliary posts 3b, 3b.

The respective main masts 3a of the tower mast A have outer sidesurfaces provided with guide rails 92 to extend along the tower mast Avertically and the guide rails 92 are fitted through slide shoes 94 inslide guides 93 provided on inner side surfaces of the lifting frames 20and 21, presenting a structure wherein the lifting frames 20 and 21 canstably and vertically move with respect to the tower mast A.

The lifting frames 20 and 21 have respective corners provided withhydraulic cylinders 24, 24 . . . to lock the lifting frames 20 and 21 tothe mast frames forming the tower mast A.

Shafts 24a are used to mount the hydraulic cylinders 24 to cylindersupporting frames 25 which are arranged to project from the liftingframes 20 and 21 outwardly and which lie substantially in the horizontaldirection. The hydraulic cylinders 24 have plunger rods 24b projectedfrom the side of the lifting frames 20 and 21 toward the side of themast frames 3 so as to use the plunger rods 24 as lock shafts,presenting a structure wherein the plunger rods are engageable withreceivers 26 provided on the mast frames 3.

The receivers 26 which are provided on the mast frames 3 are located tocorrespond to levels where the respective lifting frames 20 and 21vertically moved by the hydraulic cylinders 23 can be selectivelystopped.

The cylinder supporting frame 25 for each hydraulic cylinder 24 has amounting side formed with a receiving cylinder 25a to move the plungerrod 24b of the hydraulic cylinder 24 substantially in the horizontaldirection so as to obtain reliable operation of the hydraulic cylinder24, and the plunger rod is interposed between the receiving cylinder 25and the receiver 26, presenting a structure wherein the respectivelifting frames 20 and 21 can be reliably fixed to the mast frames 3. Bythis structure, when each plunger rod 24b is withdrawn, the plunger rod24b has the leading edge disengaged from the receiver 26 while havingthe leading edge left in the receiving cylinder 25a.

Each receiver 26 provided on each mast frame 3 is formed as a recessedportion wherein a metal fitting 26a and metal fittings 26b are providedon an outer surface of the mast frame 3 so as to project therefrom, andthe top surrounded by the metal fittings 26a and 26b is opened.

Each receiver 26 provided on each mast frame 3 is constituted by thelower receiving metal fitting 26a provided on the mast frame 3 so as toproject therefrom substantially in the horizontal direction, the pairedvertical metal fittings 26b perpendicularly projected from the mastframe 3 so as to extend from the receiving metal fitting 26a upwardly,and a pair of backup metal fittings 26c provided on the lower surface ofthe receiving metal fitting 26a so as to extend therefrom downwardly.The recessed portion with the top opened which is defined by thereceiving metal fitting 26a and the receiving metal fittings 26b formsthe receiver 26 for the leading edge of each plunger rod 24b.

The climbing means on the respective lifting frames 20 and 21 arenormally in such a state that the respective hydraulic cylinders 24, 24. . . have the plunger rods 24b extended to insert the leading edges ofthe plunger rods into the receivers 26 of the mast frames 3 while thehydraulic cylinders 23 are in a retracted position.

In the operation to upwardly move the lift B with the main stage 18, theauxiliary stage 19 and so on using the respective lifting frames 20 and21, first the lifting frame 20 has the plunger rods 24b of the hydrauliccylinders 24 got out of the receivers 26 upwardly by extending theplunger rods 23b of the hydraulic cylinders 23, and simultaneously thehydraulic cylinders 24 of the lifting frame 20 are retracted.

Under the circumstances, the hydraulic cylinders 23 have the plungerrods 23b further extended to push up the upper lifting frame 20 togetherwith the main stage 18.

In this case, it is detected by sensors whether the hydraulic cylinders24 have completely retracted. If affirmative, the hydraulic cylinders 23continue to raise. If the hydraulic cylinders 24 on the upper liftingframe 20 has not completely retracted, the hydraulic cylinders 23 stopworking.

Such an arrangement can prevent the leading edges of the hydrauliccylinders 24 from colliding against higher receivers 26 at a higherposition, in particular the receiving metal fittings 26a thereof due tothe raising operation of the lifting frame 20, and move the liftingframe 20 beyond the higher receivers 26 at the higher position.

In this manner, the lifting frame 20 is pushed up by the hydrauliccylinders 23, and is located at a predetermined position. At thisposition, the hydraulic cylinders 24 on the upper lifting frame 20 havethe plunger rods 24 extended to insert the plunger rods 24b into thehigher receivers 26 on the mast frames 3, thereby fixing the liftingframe 20, consequently the main stage 18 to the tower mast A.

Next, the lower lifting frame 21 is pulled up by retracting thehydraulic cylinders 23 so as to get out the plunger rods 24b of thehydraulic cylinders 24 on the lifting frame 21 from the receivers 26 onthe mast frames 3, and the hydraulic cylinders 24 start to retract.

Accompanying such a series of operation, i.e. the retracting operationof the plunger rods 23b of the hydraulic cylinders 23, the lower liftingframe 21 is upwardly moved. The lifting frame 21 which has been moved atsuch a predetermined upper position has the hydraulic cylinders 24extended in the horizontal direction to insert the plunger rods 24b intohigher receivers 26 on the mast frames 3, thereby fixing the lift frame21 at the upper position.

Also in this case, if sensors detect that the locking hydrauliccylinders 24 have completely retracted, the lifting hydraulic cylinders23 continue the upward movement, thereby preventing the leading edges ofthe hydraulic cylinders 24 from colliding against the receiving metalfittings 26 of the higher receivers 26.

The lowering operation of the lift B with the main stage 18, theauxiliary stage 19 and so on can be made in substantially reverseoperation to the raising operation. That is to say, first, the lowerlifting frame 21 is downwardly moved by the operation stated above, andthe lower lifting frame is fixed to the mast frames 3. After that, theupper lifting frame 20 is downwardly moved together with the main stage18, and the upper lifting frame is locked to the mast frames 3 at aposition where the upper lifting frame has completed the movement. Thus,the lift B can be downwardly moved.

In detail, first, the hydraulic cylinders 24 on the lower lifting frame21 are activated to retract the plunger rods 24b of the hydrauliccylinders 24. After it is confirmed that the leading edges of the rods24b have completely got out from the receivers 26, in particular thesurfaces of the receiving metal fittings 26a, the hydraulic cylinders 23have the plunger rods 23b extended to a predetermined position. With theplunger rods 23b extended, the hydraulic cylinders 24 on the lowerlifting frame 21 have the plunger rods 24b extended to support theleading edges of the rods 24b on the surfaces of the receiving metalfittings 26a of the receivers 26.

Next, the upper lifting frame is downwardly moved by similar operation,thereby moving the main stage 18 to a lower position of the tower mastA.

Now, the boom C, the belt conveyor G, the tripper H and so on will beexplained referring to FIGS. 20-26.

The main stage 18 which forms a part of the lift B arranged on the towermast A has one end provided with the boom C and the other end providedwith a counter weight 27 and a boom supporting winch 29 for supportingthe boom C. The boom supporting winch 29 has wire ropes 30 passed aroundguide sheaves 31, 31 . . . on top of the tower mast A and guide sheaves32 on the leading edge of the boom C to support the boom C so as to beswingable vertically.

Reference numeral 29a designates a winding drum of the boom supportingwinch 29, and reference numeral 29b designates an electric motor.

The boom C is mounted to the lift B having such a structure, i.e. themain stage 18 in the example shown.

In order to mount the boom C to the main stage 18 forming the lift B,the following mounting procedure is used in this mode.

The boom C is constituted by the inner boom C' and the outer boom C"assembled to the inner boom C' so as to be slidable.

The inner boom C' is mounted to a swinging table 33a of the boomswinging device 33 which is provided on the main stage 18, i.e. the liftB. The inner boom is vertically swingable using a shaft 34. The innerboom is operated by the boom supporting winch 29.

The boom swinging device 33 is constructed so that it uses a bearing 33bto rotatably arrange the swinging table 33a on a swinging tablesupporter 33c provided on the main stage 18, i.e. the lift B. The boomswinging device 33 is constructed so that a gear 33d provided on thecircumferential surface of the swinging table 33a in the circumferentialdirection is meshed with a gear 33f of an electric motor 33e provided onthe swinging table supporter 33c, and that the swinging table 33a of theboom swinging device 33, consequently the inner boom C' mounted theretocan be slewed so as to be swingable substantially in the horizontallydirection (see FIG. 20).

The inner boom C' has the leading edge provided with the guide sheaves32, and the inner boom is supported by the boom supporting winch 29. Theinner boom has a lower part provided with sliding means 35 for the outerboom C".

The sliding means 35 for the outer boom C" is formed as an elongatedgroove-like frame which has a lower side 35b opened. The frame has sideplates at the opposite sides in the width direction extended downwardly,and the side plates have lower edges bent inwardly to form U-charactershape recessed portions to face each other. By such an arrangement, theslide means 35 has a pair of sliding grooves 35a and 35a extended in thelongitudinal direction thereof and faced each other inside the oppositesides in the width direction. The outer boom C" is extensibly andwithdrawably assembled to the slide means 35, in particular the slidinggrooves 35a, and the outer boom C" has a lower portion, in particular aninspection platform 36 extended outwardly from the opening 35b.

The outer boom C" which is assembled to the slide means 35 provided onthe inner boom C' has guide projections 37 formed thereon at theopposite sides in the longitudinal direction so as to be smoothly fittedinto the sliding grooves 35 and 35. Using the guide projections 37, theouter boom C" is slidably incorporated into the sliding grooves 35 and35 of the inner boom C'.

Reference numeral 38 designates slide shoes, and reference numeral 39designates reinforcing ribs provided on the inner boom C' (see FIG. 25).

The outer boom C" is extended from and withdrawn into the slide means 35as follows: Roller chains 42 which have ends 42a secured to an inner end43 of the outer boom C" are passed around sprockets 41 which areprovided on the inner boom C' and which are driven by an electric motor40 arranged on the inner boom C'. The roller chains are passed aroundsprockets 44 which are arranged on inner surfaces of the leading end ofthe inner boom C', and the roller chains 42 have other ends 42b securedto the inner end 43 of the outer boom C". The outer boom C" can beextended from the slide means 35 of the inner boom C' and withdrawn intothe slide means 35 by driving the roller chains 42 using the electricmotor 40 (see FIG. 21).

The boom C having such a structure is provided with the belt conveyor G.

The belt conveyor G provided on the boom C is constituted by a firstbelt conveyor G' provided on the inner boom C' and a second beltconveyor G" provided on the outer boom C". The ready mixed concrete Fwhich is supplied from the chutes 70 is received on the first beltconveyor G' through belt conveyors 28 which are located below the chutes70 and transfer the concrete F laterally. The concrete received on thefirst belt conveyor is further transferred to the second belt conveyorG".

In detail, the first belt conveyor G' is located so that runs on theinner boom C' and above the slide means 35 with the extensible andwithdrawable boom C" slidably assembled thereto. A conveyor belt 45 hasa driving pulley 46 and a driven pulley 47 arranged at the leading edgeand at the inner edge of the inner boom C', respectively. The conveyorbelt 45 is passed around the pulleys in an endless manner, and anelectric motor 48 is used to drive the conveyor belt. The outer boom C"mounted to the slide means 35 is provided with the second belt conveyorG".

The second belt conveyor G" has a driven pulley 49 at the inner end 43of the outer boom C" located below the belt conveyor 45 of the firstbelt conveyor G'. A conveyor belt 51 is endlessly extended between thedriven pulley and a driving pulley 50 provided on the leading end of theouter boom C". The belt conveyor 51 is driven by an electric motor 52provided on the leading end of the outer boom C".

The first and the second belt conveyors G' and G" which are provided onthe inner boom C' and the outer boom C" are arranged in such a manner tobe convenient for transferring the ready mixed concrete F, e.g. in sucha manner wherein rollers 53 in a trough arrangement are located abovereturn rollers 54 in a flat arrangement.

Below the chutes 70 and between the chutes and the belt conveyor G' arearranged the belt conveyors 28 and 28 which are relatively short andwhich transfer the ready mixed concrete F laterally. The ready mixedconcrete F supplied from the respective chutes 70 and 70 are guided tothe belt conveyor G' on the inner boom C', which is arranged at asubstantially central portion between the chutes 70 and 70.

The respective belt conveyors G' and G" have the trippers H providedthereon as shown in FIGS. 23-26. The conveyed ready mixed concrete F canbe supplied to concrete placing positions through chutes 55 of thetrippers H at arbitrary positions on the conveyor belts 45 and 51, orcan be supplied from the belt conveyor G' to the belt conveyor G".

For the trippers used in this mode, the trippers according to thisembodiment is constructed as follows: The trippers H which are providedon the first belt conveyor G' and the second belt conveyor G" areconstructed so that the respective conveyor belts 45 and 51 includetripper pulleys 56 and 56 to be bent in an S-character shape at a sidewith the ready mixed concrete F carried thereon, that the chutes 55 arearranged below the S-character shaped bent portions of the conveyorbelts, and that the ready mixed concrete F which is carried on therespective belt conveyors G' and G" is directed out laterally or infront of the belt conveyors G' and G" through the chutes 55.

The respective trippers H and H include sloped guide surfaces 57 andtravelling frames 59 with a truck 58 as travelling means. The slopedguide surfaces 57 have rollers 60, 60 . . . arranged between framesthereof. The conveyor belts 45 and 51 which have moved on the beltconveyors G' and G" are guided onto the rollers 60, 60 . . . , and theconveyor belts are downwardly directed at the top of the slopes and bentin the S-character shape not only to form receiving spaces for thechutes 55 but also to return the belts 45 and 51 onto the belt conveyorsG" and G".

In the example shown, the tripper which is arranged on the belt conveyorG, in particular on the first belt conveyor G' is constructed asfollows:

In the tripper H which is arranged on the first belt conveyor G', acylindrical member which forms the chute 55 has a part of a bottomsurface formed with an opening 55a. A cover plate 55c for closing theopening 55a, and a blocking plate 55b which partitions the inside of thechute 55 in the cylindrical member of the chute 55 are arranged on thechute so as to be openable and closable. The tripper H having such astructure may be provided on the outer boom C".

Because the tripper H has such a structure, the ready mixed concrete Ftransferred by the belt conveyor G can be selectively supplied to aconcrete placing surface or to the belt conveyor G" of the outer boom C"from either the leading edge of the chute 55 or the opening 55a at anytime.

In FIG. 25, there is shown the tripper H to facilitate understanding it.The blocking plate 55b can be downwardly swung to partition the innerspace of the chute 55 substantially in the vertical direction, therebypreventing the ready mixed concrete F from moving to the discharge endof the chute 55. In addition, the cover plate 55c can be opened to takeout the ready mixed concrete F from the opening 55 ahead of the tripperH.

On the other hand, when the cover plate 55c and the blocking plate 55btake the positions indicated by chain lines in FIG. 25, i.e. when thecover plate 55c is swung to a position to close the opening 55a and theblock plate 55b is swung to adhere to an upper wall of the chute 55 soas to pass the ready mixed concrete F through the cylindrical chute 55,the concrete F can be taken out laterally of the tripper H.

Because the ready mixed concrete F which is transferred to the beltconveyors G' and G" must be placed while shifting the concrete placingpositions, the trippers H are constructed so that wheels 58a of thetrucks 58 can move on rails 61 and 61, that the wheels 58a are driven byelectric motors 62 with reduction gears, and that moving and locatingthe trippers H is controlled by additional control means.

By such an arrangement, the tripper provided on the first belt conveyorG' can be arranged at the leading end of the inner boom C' to supply theready mixed concrete F to the belt conveyor G" of the outer boom C", andto take out the concrete F laterally of the belt conveyor G' whilemoving the inner boom C'.

The tripper H provided on the second belt conveyor G" can take out theconcrete F laterally from the belt conveyor G" while moving the outerboom C".

The tripper H provided on the second belt conveyor G" can be provided onthe leading end of the outer boom C" to take out the ready mixedconcrete F from the leading end of the belt conveyor G" while extendingthe outer boom C".

The tripper H may be provided only on the inner boom C'.

Moving and locating the truck 58 of each tripper H may be made by a wirerope of a winch for locating the truck instead of moving and locatingthe truck by the electric motor 62.

Using the lifting winch 63 and guide sheaves 64 and 64, thecontainer-like carriers D are suspended by wire ropes 65 in the spaces 4of the tower mast A having the belt conveyor G on the boom C, and thecarriers can be moved to be raised and lowered in the spaces 4.

Raising and lowering operation of the container-like carriers D can bemade using various lifting means.

In the example shown, the winch is used. The wire ropes 65 which arepassed around a winding drum 67 rotated by an electric motor 66 providedon the main stage 18 have one side of ends secured to the carriers D,and the wire ropes 65 are guided to the tops of the spaces 4 of thetower mast A by the guide sheaves 64, 64, thereby suspending thecarriers D in the spaces 4 so as to smoothly move the carriers in thevertical direction.

Reference numeral 68 designates an electromagnetic brake, and referencenumeral 69 designates a reduction gear unit.

In FIGS. 27-29, there is shown a first example of the lifting means forthe carriers D.

The carriers D are arranged so that the two carriers D and D are side byside in the spaces 4 of the tower mast A. One of the carriers D' issecured to the wire ropes 65a wound on the winding drum 67 from thelower side thereof, and the other carriers D" is secured to the wireropes 65b wound on the winding drum 67 from the upper side thereof.

As a result, when the winding drum 67 is rotated by the electric motor66, either one of the carriers D is raised, and simultaneously the othercarrier D is lowered, thereby decreasing the load applied to theelectric motor 66 during the lifting operation of the carriers D.

In the example shown, when one of the carriers D, D raised and loweredin the spaces 4 of the tower mast A takes the lowest position to receivethe ready mixed concrete F from a supply hopper 71, the other carrier Dtakes the highest position to quantitatively supply the concrete F fromthe chute 70 onto the belt conveyor G through the belt conveyor 28,thereby presenting an arrangement wherein the carriers are alternativelyraised and lowered between the chutes 70 and the hopper 71 with goodtiming.

In FIGS. 30 and 31, there is shown a second example of the lifting meansfor the carriers D. The carriers D, D are arranged so as to be suspendedin the spaces 4, 4 of the tower mast A, and the respective carriers D, Dinclude the respective lifting winches 63 for raising and lowering thecarriers independently. The wire ropes 65 which are wound on therespective winding drums 67 from the lower side thereof are used as thewire ropes 65a to suspend counter weights 102, and the carriers D aresuspended by the remaining wire ropes i.e. the wire ropes 65b wound onthe winding drums from the upper side thereof.

The second example of the lifting means for the carriers D have the samestructure as the first example of the lifting means shown in FIGS. 27-29except that the counter weights 102 are used.

For this reason, constituent elements which are the same orsubstantially the same as the first example of the lifting means areindicated by the same reference symbols, and explanation on theseelements will be omitted.

The chutes 70 which supply the ready mixed concrete F from thecontainer-like carriers D to the belt conveyor G through the beltconveyors 28 are constructed so that each chute is swung around a shaft70a by a torque actuator 70b to take a stand-up position when therelated carrier D is passing through its related space 4, and that thechute 70 is swung by the torque actuator 70b to locate an upper openingof the chute 70 below an exit 72 of the carrier D when the carrier D haspassed the chute 70 and located above the chute 70. The chutes 70 havingsuch a construction are provided below the exits 72, 72 of the twocarriers D, and are arranged on the stage post 18A provided on the mainstage 18 in a stand-up position, being constructed to standup and tiltdepending on the raising and lowering operating of the carriers D.

The container-like carriers D may be operated in such a manner thatcontainer-like carrier main bodies 73 are put on suspended tables 74,and that the suspended tables 74 are raised and lowered using thelifting winches 63, or that the container-like carrier main bodies 73are directly raised and lowered using the lifting winches 63.

The suspended tables 74 are constructed so that they can be housed inthe respective spaces 4, 4 defined by the main masts 3a, 3a, theauxiliary posts 3b and the cross bars 3c of the tower mast A, that theyhave a substantially square frame table 74a which has a pair of mainposts 74b formed at central portions on both sides thereof, thatauxiliary frames 74c are slantwise extended from corners toward the topsof the main posts 74b, that the tops of the main posts 74b, 74b areconnected by a cross bar 74d, and that the wire ropes 65 are secured tothe tops of the main masts 74.

The main posts 74b of the suspended tables 74 have outer surfacesprovided with slide guides 90, and guide rails 89 which are verticallyprovided on the tower mast A are fit into the slide guides 90 throughslide shoes 91, presenting a structure wherein the suspended tables 74can be smoothly raised and lowered in the spaces 4 (see FIG. 19).

The container-like carrier main bodies 73 forming the container-likecarriers D are constructed so that they have containers 73a for theready mixed concrete F which have a lower portion provided with thesupply means E for continuously and quantitatively feeding out the readymixed concrete F. The carriers D having such supply means E are shown ascontainer-like carriers Da in order to differentiate them from othertypes of carriers D, in particular container-like carriers Db withoutthe supply means E, which will be explained later on.

In FIG. 32, there is shown one of the container-like carriers Da whichcomprises the container-like carrier main body 73 having the container73a provided with a screw feeder 75 as the supply means E forcontinuously and quantitatively feeding the ready mixed concrete F.

In each container-like carrier Da which includes the screw feeder 75 asthe supply means E of a type to continuously and quantitatively supplythe ready mixed concrete F, the discharge by the screw feeder 75 is setso that the ready mixed concrete F can be quantitatively andcontinuously taken out from the exit 72 by the screw feeder 75.

The screw feeder 75 has a structure appropriate to feed the ready mixedconcrete F quantitatively and continuously, and includes a continuoussupply screw 75a in the lower portion of the container 73a. The screw75a has a front end toward the direction of feeding the concrete Fhoused in a cylindrical portion 75h. The inner peripheral surface of thecylindrical portion 75h cooperates with the screw 75a to quantitativelyand continuously take out the concrete F in the container 73a from theexit 72 formed in the cylindrical portion 75h by rotation of the screw75a.

Reference numeral 75b designates thrust bearings for bearing a shaft 75cof the screw 75a, reference numeral 75d designates a sprocket providedon the shaft 75c, and reference numeral 75e designates a chain whichtransmits torque to the sprocket 75d by a sprocket 75g of an electricmotor 75f.

The supply means E having such a type which are provided the carriers Dto continuously and quantitatively take out the ready mixed concrete Fare not limited to the screw feeder 75, and may have any kinds ofstructure as long as they are means capable of quantitatively andcontinuously supplying the ready mixed concrete F from the carriers Datoward the belt conveyor G, or means capable of continuously andintermittently supplying the concrete F from the carriers Da onto thebelt conveyor G while quantitatively sectioning the concrete.

Supplying the ready mixed concrete F to the carriers D is made in e.g.such a manner that the ready mixed concrete F which is supplied from aconveyor stage 76 beside the tower mast A is supplied to the hoppers 71by belt conveyors 77, and then the concrete F supplied to the hoppers 71is in turn supplied to the carriers D of the tower mast A.

In the supply of the ready mixed concrete F, the hoppers 71 areconstructed so that the hoppers are introduced from outside the towermast A into the spaces 4 within the mast frames 3 by guide means 79.When each carrier D has been moved downwardly in the related space 4beyond a location to introduce the related hopper 71, the hopper 71 isintroduced in the space 4 using the guide 79 to locate an upper openingof the carrier D just below the hopper 71, and the ready mixed concreteF is supplied from the hopper 71 to the carrier D.

The hopper 71 which has supplied the concrete F to the carrier D isbrought out from the space 4 of the tower mast A guided by the guidemeans 79, avoiding an obstacle to the lifting operation of the carrier Dby the winch 63.

The hoppers 71 have opening and closing means 78 provided thereon. Thetwo hoppers 71, 71 are provided to correspond to the two carriers D.While one of the hoppers supplies the ready mixed concrete F to therelated carrier D, the other hopper 71 receives the ready mixed concreteF from the related belt conveyor 77.

The hoppers 71 which receive the supply of the concrete F from the beltconveyors 77 are provided so that sliding frames 104 having the hoppers71 are substantially horizontally slidable on racks 105 having the beltconveyors 77, and that the racks 105 have the guide means 79 providedthereon, as shown in e.g. FIGS. 35 and 36.

The sliding frames 104 have paired guide wheels 104a rotated along theguide means 79 on the racks 105, presenting a structure wherein thesliding frames 104 can be withdrawn into the racks 105 having the guidemeans 79 or be drawn out from the racks 105 having the guide means 79.

The drawing and withdrawing operation of the sliding frames 104 from theracks 105 is carried out by e.g. winching means 103 provided on thesliding frames 104.

In each winching means 103, wire ropes 103d which are wound on windingdrums 103c driven by an electric motor 103a with reduction gears 103bhave ends secured to a front end of the related sliding frame 104 andother rends secured to a rear end of the sliding frame 104, i.e. to amounting side of the sliding frame to the related rack 105. As a result,the sliding frame 104, consequently the hopper 71 provided on thesliding frame 104 can be drawn below the related belt conveyor 77 of therack 105, in particular, a position to receive the ready mixed concreteF supplied from the conveyor belt, and the hopper 71 with the readymixed concrete F filled therein can be moved in the space of the towermast A, in particular above the related carrier D.

The belt conveyors 77 are provided on upper sides of the racks 105,avoiding the sliding movement of the hoppers 71 slided along the guidemeans 79 below the racks 105. In order to supply the ready mixedconcrete F independently to the paired carriers D which are provided inthe paired spaces 4, 4 arranged side by side in the lower portion of thetower mast A, there are provided a pair of devices having the beltconveyors, and the corresponding hoppers 71 for the ready mixed concreteF, respectively.

In Figures, reference numeral 77a designates conveyor belts of the beltconveyors 77, and reference numeral 77b designates driving motors forthe conveyor belts 77a.

In Figures, reference numeral 101 designates a gondola for inspectionwhich is provided on the tower mast A to be liftable.

(2) Ready mixed concrete conveying apparatus according to a second mode

In FIGS. 37-44, there is shown the ready mixed concrete conveyingapparatus according to a second mode.

The conveying apparatus according to the second mode is constructed sothat it comprises the tower mast A, the lift B arranged on the towermast A so as to be liftable, and the boom C which is arranged on thelift so as to be swingable.

The tower mast A is provided with the container-like carriers D used forconveyance of the ready mixed concrete F so as to be liftable.

The boom C is provided with the belt conveyor G for conveyance of theready mixed concrete F which is supplied from the carriers D directly orthrough the transferring means additionally provided.

The boom C is provided with the tripper H which takes out the concrete Fconveyed by the belt conveyor G from the leading edge of the beltconveyor G or at a position on the belt conveyor G.

The carriers D are provided with the supply means E for continuously andquantitatively feeding out the concrete F conveyed by the carriers D,and the carriers can continuously and quantitatively feed the concrete Fonto the belt conveyor G.

In the conveying apparatus according to the second mode, the tower mastA is standed so as to rotatable, having the vertical axis thereof as arotary axis.

The conveying apparatus according to the second mode has the same orsubstantially the same structure as the conveying apparatus according tothe first mode except that the boom C comprises only the inner boom C',that the inner boom C' is provided with crane means J such as a hoist80, that the tower mast A is directly fixed through turning means suchas the turntable 2, that the ready mixed concrete F is supplied directlyto the hoppers 71 by truck mixer agitators 81 without provision of theconveyor stage 76, and that there is provided an inspection stage 82.

The operation of the constituent elements and the functions performed bythe constituent elements in the second mode are the same orsubstantially the same as those of the conveying apparatus according tothe first mode.

The constituent elements which have the same or substantially the samestructure and the same or substantially the same functions as those ofthe conveying apparatus according to the first mode are indicated by thesame reference symbols, and explanation on these elements will beomitted.

The hoist 80 as the crane means J which is provided in the second modeuses reinforcing trusses 83, 83 as saddles which are downwardly extendedfrom both side edges of the inner boom C' in the longitudinal direction.The reinforcing trusses which face each other have rails 84, 84 providedtherein and the hoist 80 is arranged so as to run on the rails 84, 84.

In Figures, reference numeral 80a designates the main body of the hoist,reference numeral 80b designates wheels which runs on the rails 84,reference numeral 80c an electric motor as means for moving the hoistmain body 80a, and reference numeral 80d designates an electric motorfor a winding drum 80e. Reference numeral 80f designates a reductiongear unit for the motor 80e, and reference numeral 80g designates abrake for the motor which can operate a wire rope 80i with a hook 80h.

The working stage 82 is constructed so that it uses supporting poles 85to be downwardly arranged on the lower lifting frame 21 as the climbingmeans which is provided with the auxiliary stage 19, and that it can beraised and lowered along the tower mast A by the climbing means togetherwith the raising and lowering operation of the lifting frame 21.

In the second mode, the lift B is additionally provided with the workingstage 82, and these members constitute, as one unit, the lift B whichraises and lowers on the tower mast A.

The working stage 82 which is provided on the tower mast A isconstructed so that it can raise and lower together with the liftingframe 21 with respect to the tower mast A in substantially the same wayas the main stage 18, or more specificly that the working stage has anopening 22 formed therein to be mounted to the tower mast A so as toengage with the tower mast from outwardly, and the working stage isprovided with slide guides to slidably house the guide rails provided onthe mast frames 3, in particular the main masts 3a, inserted into theopening 22 in the same manner as the first mode.

Supplying the ready mixed concrete F to the hoppers 71 can be made so asto supply the concrete directly from the truck mixer agitators 81 intothere, and there is provided a ramp 86 for truck mixer agitators 81 soas to be directed to the tower mast A.

In detail, there are provided the ramp 86 for the truck mixer agitators81, and guide frames 106 which are extended into the tower mast A, inparticular the mast frames 3 in this mode. Each guide frame 106 has asliding frame 107 assembled thereto so as to slidable. In particular,each guide frame 107 has paired wheels 107a, 107a of the sliding frame107 assembled thereto, having, as guides, grooves 106a of the guideframe which face each other in a U-character shape.

The sliding frame 107 is constructed so that it is moved along the guideframe 106 by an operating winch means 108 provided on the guide frame106, and that wire ropes 108d which are wound around winding drums 108crotated by an electric motor 108a with reduction gears 108b can haveends secured to one end of the sliding frame 107 and the other endssecured to the other end of the sliding frame 107 so as to move thesliding frame along the guide frame 106. Each sliding frame having sucha structure is provided with the hopper 71, presenting a structurewherein the ready mixed concrete F from the truck mixer agitators 81 canbe provided, at any time, to the carriers Da provided on the tower mastA.

The conveying apparatus according to the second mode having such astructure and shown in FIGS. 37-44 has the same or substantially thesame as the conveying apparatus according to the first mode shown inFIGS. 5-36 in terms of the operating methods and the structure of theapparatus, such as the turning method and the structure of the towermast A, the lifting method and the structure of the respective lifts B,the swinging method and the structure of the boom C, the lifting methodand the structure of the carriers D, the function and the structure ofthe supply means E as means for quantitatively supply the ready mixedconcrete F from the carriers Da, the method and the structure to supplythe concrete F from the carriers D to the belt conveyor G using thechutes 70, the method and the structure to transfer the concrete F bythe belt conveyor G, and the structure of the tripper H which feeds outthe concrete F from the belt conveyor G to the chute 55.

The provision of the inspection stage 82 for working and the crane meansJ on the conveying apparatus of the ready mixed concrete F can conveyvarious kinds of machinery and materials needed to placing the readymixed concrete F at the same time as placing the ready mixed concrete,thereby streamlining e.g. dam construction.

The conveying apparatus for the ready mixed concrete F has no need forsetting up a scaffold one by one when placing the ready mixed concretefor a smokestack or piers, and offers advantages in that a series ofworks such as conveying e.g. forms for placing the concrete, setting upforms, and removing forms can be carried out without scaffolds.

(3) Ready mixed concrete conveying apparatus according to a third mode

In FIGS. 45-61, there is shown the conveying apparatus according to athird mode.

The conveying apparatus according to the third mode is constructed sothat it comprises the tower mast A, the lift B arranged on the towermast A so as to be liftable, and the boom C which is constituted by twobooms arranged on the lift B so as to be swingable.

The tower mast A is provided with the container-like carriers D used forconveyance of the ready mixed concrete F.

The boom C which is constituted by the inner boom C' and the outer boomC" arranged thereon so as to be extensible and withdrawable is providedwith the belt conveyor G for conveyance of the concrete F supplied fromthe carriers D directly or through the transferring means additionallyprovided. The belt conveyor G is constituted by connected beltconveyors.

The boom C is provided with the trippers H which take out the conveyedconcrete F from the leading edge of the belt conveyor G provided on theboom C, or at a portion of the belt conveyor.

The carriers D are provided with the supply means E for continuously andquantitatively feeding out the concrete F conveyed by the carriers D tothe conveyance belt conveyor G directly or through the transferringmeans additionally provided.

In the conveying apparatus according to the third mode, the tower mast Ais standed so as to be rotatable using the vertical axis thereof as arotational axis.

In the conveying apparatus according to the third mode, the tower mast Ais constructed so that it is movable along the rails 17 in thehorizontal direction.

The conveying apparatus according to the third mode has the same orsubstantially the same structure as the conveying apparatus according tothe first mode except that the boom C is supplied so as to be swingableonly in the horizontal direction, and the boom C is coupled to the liftB by boom supporting frames 109, and

that the container-like carriers D which are provided with the supplymeans E for continuously and quantitatively feeding out the concrete Fcan be introduced into the tower mast A and drawn out therefrom to befilled with the concrete F, and the carriers can be raised and loweredin the tower mast A by suspended frame tables 87 as the lifting carriersK.

The operation of the constituent elements and the functions performed bythe elements are the same or substantially the same as those of theconveying apparatus according to the first mode.

For these reasons, the constituent elements which have the same orsubstantially the same structure as and perform the same orsubstantially the same functions as those of the apparatus according tothe first mode are indicated by the same reference symbols, andexplanation on these elements will be omitted.

In the conveying apparatus thus constructed, the tower mast A isprovided so as to be turnable and movable like the conveying apparatusaccording to the first mode shown in FIGS. 5-36, and the lift B isarranged to the tower mast A so as to be liftable to a desired levellike the conveying apparatus according to the first mode.

The boom C which is arranged on the lift B has the inner boom C'provided with the outer boom C" to be extensible and withdrawable in thesame manner as the conveying apparatus according to the first mode, andthe boom C is arranged on the lift B so as to be swingable by theswinging device 33 like the conveying apparatus according to the firstmode.

In the conveying apparatus according to the third mode, the means forsupporting the boom C is constituted by the boom supporting frames 109without relying on the operation of the wire ropes 30 by the winch 29.

In detail, the boom C which has the innermost side supported to the liftB by the shaft 34 like the conveying apparatus according to the firstmode has the outermost side of the boom C, in particular the outermostside of the inner boom C' suspended by the boom supporting frames 109.

The supporting frame 110 which is located above the lift B, is raisedand lowered together with the lift B and forms a part of the lift B isarranged to the mast frames 3, 3 of the tower mast A so as to be engagedtherewith from outwardly. The supporting frame 110 forming the lift B,and the boom C, in particular the front end portion of the inner boom C'are coupled by the boom supporting frame 109, and the boom C issuspended and held by the supporting frames 109.

The supporting frame 110 is formed as a frame body whose shape issubstantially square in plan. The slide guides 93 which house the guiderails 92 provided on the outer surface of the mast frames 3 of the towermast A are arranged on the inner surface of the supporting frame 110,presenting a structure wherein the supporting frame can be raised andlowered together with the lift B along the tower A, being guided by theguide rails 92 of the mast frames 3.

The supporting frame 110 is coupled to the lift B, in particular thestage post 18A of the main stage 18 by the poles 111, and is supportedto the main stage 18 by supporting frames 112, forming a part of thelift B. The boom supporting frames 109 are provided to extend in thedirection parallel with the supporting frames 112, and the boomsupporting frames have the leading edges supporting the outermost sideof the inner boom C'.

The boom supporting frames 109 are arranged on the supporting frame 110so as to be swingable together with the boom C. In particular, in thisembodiment, auxiliary frames 113 which are provided to extend from aninner side of the inner boom C' to an upper portion of the stage post18a, and the boom supporting frames 109 are coupled by connecting poles114, and the auxiliary frames and the boom supporting frames are mountedso as to be turnable on bearings 115, 115 on the supporting frame 110and the stage post 18a.

Next, how to convey the container-like carriers D used in this mode willbe explained.

In this mode, supplying the ready mixed concrete F to the carriers D iscarried out without the hoppers 71.

The carriers D in this mode are not constructed so as to be suspendeddirectly by the winches 63. The carriers D can be put on and drawn outfrom suspended frame rests 87 suspended by the winches 63, usingmotor-driven carts 88 with a lifter.

The suspended frame rests 87 used in this mode are provided to bevertically movable in the paired spaces 4, 4 which are provided asspaces defined by the mast frames 3, 3 . . . in the tower mast A toextend in the vertical direction.

Each suspended frame rests 87 has side frames 87b standed from oppositeends of a pair of frame members 87a', 87a' so as to form substantiallyisosceles triangles, the paired frame members facing each other to forma lower frame body 87a in a U-character shape. The side frames have topssecured to the tops of post frames 87c which are arranged so as to bestanded from substantially central portions of the frame members 87a' asone unit. The tops of the side frames are coupled by an upper beam 87das one unit. The paired frame members 87a', 87a' which face each otherhave inner sides supporting projections 87e, 87e . . . formed thereon soas to project therefrom to face each other.

The supporting projections 87e are formed with stoppers 87f in asubstantially truncated corn shape for the carriers D to be guided.

In each suspended frame rest 87 having such a structure, the post frames87c at both sides have top portions secured to the ropes 65 of thelifting winch 63, and the grooves in the slide guides 90 which arearranged on upper and lower portions of the respective post frames 87chouse the guide rails 89 which are arranged on the inner surfaces of themast frames 3 to extend in the vertical direction.

In Figures, reference numeral 91 designates the slide shoes.

The mast frames 3 where the suspended frame rests 87 are housed includethe main masts 3a, 3a . . . at four corners of an imaginary planedefined in a rectangular shape, and the auxiliary posts 3b, 3b atsubstantially central portions of the longer sides of the imaginaryplane. The main masts 3a, 3a . . . , and the auxiliary posts 3b, 3b . .. are coupled together by the cross bars 3c, 3c . . . to form the spaced4, 4 for housing the paired suspended frame rests 87, 87.

The main masts 3a, 3a . . . of the mast frames 3 which form the towermast A have outer surfaces provided with the guide rails 92 as one unitto extend in the vertical direction, and the guide rails 92 are housedin the grooves of the slide guides 93 so as to be slidable, the slideguides being arranged on the main stage 18, the auxiliary stage 19, theworking stage 82 and the respective lifting frames 20, 21 forming thelift B.

In Figures, reference numeral 94 designates the slide shoes.

The mast frames 3 have a lower portion formed with openings 95, 95 fortaking the motor-drive carts with a lifter in and out of there, thereare provided rails 96 to move the motor-drive carts 88 with respect tothe openings 95, and the motor-driven carts 88 are arranged on the railsso as to be movable.

The motor-driven carts 88 are formed to include motor drive wheels 88aand lifters 88b, respectively. The container-like carriers D which areput on the motor-drive carts 88 are constructed so that they includee.g. screw feeder means as the supply means E of a quantitative supplytype, and that they are the container-like carriers Da with the samestructure as that of the conveying apparatus according to the firstmode.

Each container-like carrier Da having such a structure is put on therelated lifter 88b. The carrier is lifted up by the lifter 88b, and istaken into the related space 4 of the tower mast A from the relatedopening 95. After that, the lift-up state by the lifter 88b is releasedto lower the carrier and put it onto the supporting projections 87e, 87eof the suspended frame rest 87.

When the lifter 88b is lowered to support the carrier Da on thesupporting projections 87e, the stoppers 87f on the supportingprojections 87e are inserted into and engaged with holes 97 which areformed a lower surface of the carrier D.

In the ready mixed concrete conveying apparatus wherein the motor-drivencarts 88 are used to take the carriers D into the tower mast A in thatmanner, for example, a supply system 98 using a belt conveyor can beused to supply the ready mixed concrete F to the carriers D. Forexample, a supply system 99 by a transfer carrier may be used to supplythe concrete F. For example, a supply system 100 by truck mixeragitators may also be used to supply the concrete F.

In FIGS. 54-56, there is shown a first example of the lifting means forthe lifting carriers K. The lifting carriers K are arranged so that thetwo lifting carriers K, K are side by side in the spaces 4 of the towermast A. The lifting carrier K with one D' of the container-like carrierstaken therein is secured to the wire ropes 65a wound around the windingdrum 67 from the lower side, and the lifting carrier K with the othercontainer-like carrier D" is secured to the wire ropes 65b wound aroundthe winding drum 67 from the upper side.

As a result, when the winding drum 67 is rotated by the electric motor66, one of the lifting carriers K is raised, and simultaneously theother lifting carrier K is lowered, decreasing the load applied to themotor 66 during the lifting operation of the lifting carriers K.

When one of the container-like carriers D, D which raise and lower inthe spaces 4 of the tower mast A is receiving the ready mixed concrete Ffrom the related supply hopper 71, the other container-like carrier Dtakes the uppermost position to quantitatively supply the concrete Ffrom the related chute 70 to the belt conveyor G through the relatedbelt conveyor 28. In that manner, the two container-like carriers D, Dare raised and lowered between the chutes 70 and the hoppers 71 withgood timing.

In FIGS. 57-58, there is shown a second example of the lifting means forthe lifting carriers K. In the second example of the lifting means, therespective lifting carriers K, K are arranged so as to be suspended inthe spaces 4, 4 of the tower mast A. The respective lifting carriers K,K include, independently, the lifting winches 63 for the liftingoperation. The respective winding drums 67 have one pair of the wireropes 65 wound thereon as the wire ropes 65a wound from the lower sidethereof, and counter weights 102 are connected to the paired wire ropes65a so as to be suspended therefrom. The other pair of the wire ropes,i.e. the wire rope 65b wound from the upper side are connected to therespective lifting carriers K for taking the respective container-likecarriers D therein so as to suspend therefrom.

The second example of the lifting means for the lifting carriers K havethe same structure as the first example of the lifting means shown inFIGS. 54-56 except that the counter weights 102 are used.

For this reason, the constituent elements which have the same orsubstantially the same structure as the first example of the liftingmeans are indicated by the same reference symbols, and explanation onthese elements will be omitted.

The conveying apparatus according to the third mode constructed asstated above and shown in FIGS. 45-61 is the same or substantially thesame as the conveying apparatus according to the first mode shown inFIGS. 5-36 in terms of the operation methods and structure of theapparatus, such as the rotary method and the structure of the tower mastA, the lifting method and the structure of the lift, the swinging methodand the structure of the boom C, the lifting method and the structuresof the lifting carriers K and the container-like carriers D, thefunctions and the structure of the supply means E as the means forquantitatively supplying the ready mixed concrete F from thecontainer-like carriers D, the method and the structure to supply theconcrete F from the container-like carriers D to the belt conveyor Gusing the chutes, the structure of the belt conveyor G, and thestructures of the trippers H for taking out the concrete F from the beltconveyor G to the chutes 55.

The arrangement wherein the suspended frame rests 87 are used as thelifting carriers K can simplify the structure of the tower mast A,offering advantages in that the cost of equipment required for the towermast A can be saved, that the maintenance of the tower mast A, inparticular the maintenance of the container-like carriers D becomeseasier, and that the apparatus is adaptable to any kinds of supply meansof the ready mixed concrete. In addition, a shortened term ofconstruction work and saved expense as well as streamlined damconstruction can be realized.

The boom C which is arranged on the apparatus is stably and smoothlyraised and lowered together with the lift B with respect to the towermast A.

(4) Ready mixed concrete conveying apparatus according to a fourth mode

In FIGS. 62-68, there is shown the conveying apparatus according to afourth mode.

The conveying apparatus constructed according to the fourth mode isconstructed so that it comprises the tower mast A, the lift B arrangedon the tower mast A so as to be liftable, the rotary portion N arrangedon the lift B so as to be swingable, and the boom C arranged on therotary portion N.

The tower mast A is provided with the container-like carriers Da usedfor conveyance of the ready mixed concrete F so as to be liftable. Theboom C is provided with the belt conveyor G for conveyance of theconcrete F, and the tripper H which is used to take out the concrete Fconveyed by the belt conveyor G at a position on the belt conveyor G.

The container-like carriers D are provided with the supply means E forcontinuously and quantitatively feeding out the ready mixed concrete Freceived in the container-like carriers D, presenting a structurewherein the concrete F received into the container-like carriers Da canbe continuously and quantitatively supplied to the belt conveyor Gdirectly or through the transferring means additionally provided.

The conveying apparatus having such a structure is installed so as to bemovable along the rails 17.

The conveying apparatus according to the fourth mode has the same orsubstantially the same structure as the conveying apparatus according tothe first mode except that the rotary portion N is rotatably arranged onthe lift B liftably provided on the tower mast A by the climbing means,and that the boom C is mounted to the rotary portion N to supply theconcrete F carried up by the carriers D to the belt conveyor G directlythrough the conveying means L or the transferring means additionallyprovided.

The operation and the functions performed by the constituent elements inthis mode are the same or substantially the same as those of theconveying apparatus according to the first mode except for thedifferences stated earlier.

For this reason, the constituent elements which have the same orsubstantially the same structure and perform the same or substantiallythe same functions as those of the conveying apparatus according to thefirst mode are indicated by the same reference symbols, and explanationon these elements will be omitted.

In the fourth mode, the lift B which is provided on the tower mast A soas to be liftably provided with the rotary portion N to be rotatablearound the tower mast A in substantially the horizontal direction.

The lift B which is provided on the tower mast A so as to be liftable isconstructed in substantially the same manner as the conveying apparatusaccording to the first mode.

In detail, the lift B is constructed so that the upper lifting frame 20and the lower lifting frame 21 which are coupled together by the liftinghydraulic cylinders 23 are positioned as a base, to provide the climbingmeans, and that the supporting frame 110 which is arranged above theclimbing means so as to be liftable along the tower mast A and to beengaged with the tower mast from outwardly is assembled to the upperlifting frame 20 or the stage member on the upper lifting frame 20 bythe poles 111 like one unit.

In the lift B having such a structure, the lower lifting frame 21 andthe upper lifting frame 20 are provided with the hydraulic cylinders 24,respectively, like the conveying apparatus according to the first mode.

The lifting frames 20 and 21 which are moved upwardly and downwardly bythe hydraulic cylinders 23 are constructed so that the lifting framesare locked, at a stopping level, to and unlocked to be movable along thetower mast A, in particular the mast frames 3 like the conveyingapparatus according to the first mode.

The lift B having such climbing means has the rotary portion N arrangedthereon so as to be rotatable in the horizontal direction by rotarybearing means 116.

In the example shown, the rotary bearing means is constructed in such amanner that annular bearing portions 116b, 116b which are respectivelyarranged on a lower side and an upper side of the rotary portion N areengaged with an annular bearing portion 116a provided on an upper sideof the upper lifting frame 20 and an annular bearing portion 116aprovided on the supporting frames 110 coupled to the upper lifting frame20 by the poles 111 like one unit, and that loads in the rotarydirection and in the vertical direction are born by the bearing means116. In this specific example, swing bearing means are used toconstitute the bearing means 116.

The rotary portion N which is arranged on the lift B so as to berotatable is constituted by the stage 117 which is arranged above theupper lifting frame 20 so as to be rotatable with respect to the towermast A, and the rotary frame 118 which is provided on the stage 117 likeone unit.

The rotary frame 118 is constructed by upper annular frames 118aprovided on the tower mast A so as to be engaged with the tower mast Afrom outwardly, and posts 118b which assemble the upper annular frame118a to the stage 117.

The rotary portion N having such a structure is constructed so that itis supported by the upper lifting frame 20 so as to be rotatable withrespect to the tower mast A, and that the annular bearing portion 116aof the lift B, in particular the annular bearing portion 116a providedon the upper lifting frame 20, and the annular bearing portion 116aprovided on the supporting frame 110 are assembled to the annularbearing portion 116b provided at the side of the stage 117 on the rotaryportion N, and the annular bearing portion 116b provided at the side ofthe upper annular frame 118a through ball bearings.

The rotary portion N which is provided on the lift B so as to berotatable is constructed so that a pinion 120 which is provided on thestage 117 forming a part of the rotary portion N is engaged with a rack119a which is arranged on the outer peripheral surface of an annularguide rail 119 provided on the lifting frame 20.

The pinion 120 is driven by an electric motor 122 through a reductiongear unit 121 provided on the stage 117.

The rotary portion N having such a structure can drive the pinion 120along the rack 119a using the electric motor 122 provided on the stage117 forming the rotary portion N, thereby rotating the rotary portion Nwith respect to the tower mast A.

The boom C is assembled to the rotary portion N which is arranged on thetower mast A so as to be liftable and rotatable in that manner.

Although the boom C which is provided on the rotary portion N is notconstructed to have a swingable structure, in particular a structure toswing in the horizontal direction because the rotary portion N isrotatable, the boom C may be arranged so as to be swingable in thehorizontal direction like the first mode.

In the example shown, the tipper H which is provided on the boom C isprovided only on the inner boom C', and the outer boom C" is operable asbeing withdrawable and extensible with respect to the inner boom C',thereby presenting an arrangement wherein placing the ready mixedconcrete can be made from the leading edge of the belt conveyor G" onthe outer boom C" without using the tripper H on the outer boom.

The conveying apparatus having such a structure is constructed so thatthe tower mast A has the top provided directly with the lifting winches63 and the guide sheaves 64 as the lifting means for raising andlowering along the tower mast A the container-like carriers, i.e. thecontainer-like carriers Da with the supply means E for continuously andquantitatively feeding the ready mixed concrete F like the first mode.

The winching means which are provided on the top of the tower mast A areconstructed so that a pair of groups including the winding drums 67driven by the electric motors 66 through the electromagnetic brakes 68and the reduction gears 69 are provided, and that each winding drum 67suspends the related carrier D and the related counter weight by therelated wire ropes 65 so as to raise and lower the carrier and thecounter weight, in particular that, in the example shown, each counterweight and each carrier D are suspended by the wire ropes 65a wound onthe related winding drum from a lower side and by the wire ropes 65bwound around the winding drum from an upper side through the guidesheaves 64, respectively.

Next, conveyance of the ready mixed concrete in the conveying apparatushaving such a structure, in particular, delivery means to deliver theconcrete F from the carriers D to the belt conveyor G will be described.

The ready mixed concrete F which has been carried up by the carriers Darranged on the tower mast A, i.e. the container-like carriers Da withthe supply means E for continuously and quantitatively supplying theconcrete F in this example is guided by the tiltable chutes 70 and thefixed chutes 70' to the transferring means L provided on the tower mastA so as to be rotatable there around, and the concrete thus guided isdelivered by the chute 123 to the belt conveyor G provided on the boomC.

The conveying means L which is used to deliver the ready mixed concreteF is constituted by an annular frame 124 provided on the outer peripheryof e.g. the posts 111 or the stage post on the lift B, an annular frame125 provided on inner surfaces of posts 118b of the rotary frames 118 ofthe rotary portion N, and an annular strip 126 arranged between theannular frames 124, 125 so as to be rotatable around the tower mast A,providing a so-called rotary feeder.

The conveying means will be further explained in detail. The annularframe 125 is formed with a horizontal plate 124a, and the horizontalplate has an upper surface carrying a plurality of rollers 127 in a rowso as to direct their respective axial center lines toward radialdirections of the annular frame 124. The shaft of one of the rollers 127includes a sprocket 128 with which a sprocket 130 provided on the rotaryshaft of an electric motor 129 is coupled by a chain 131. The rollers127 have their sprockets 132 coupled by chains one another. The rollers127 having such a structure have the annular strip 126 carried thereonto drive the strip 126 by the rollers 127.

An annular side plate 124b which extends vertically from the horizontalplate 124a in close proximity to the inner periphery of the annularstrip 126 rotated by the rollers 127, and the annular frame 125 whichfaces the annular side plate 124b and is positioned along the outerperiphery of the annular strip 126 so as to be formed as a side plate atthe side of the rotary frames 118 constitute a groove-like guide 133 bywhich the ready mixed concrete F supplied onto the annular strip 126 isguided toward the chute 123 without dropping on the way to be conveyed.

The ready mixed concrete F which is conveyed by the annular strip 126 isforced to be directed to the chute 123 by blocking with a blocking plate134 the groove-like guide 133 as a conveyance space for the concrete Fwhich is constituted by the annular strip 126, the annular frame 125 andthe annular side plate 124b.

The conveying apparatus according to the fourth mode thus constructedand shown in FIGS. 62-68 has the same or substantially the same as theconveying apparatus according to the first mode in terms of theoperation and the structure of the apparatus such as the running systemof the structure of the tower mast A, the lifting system and thestructure of the lift, the assembling system and the structure of theboom C, the lifting system of the carriers D, the functions and thestructure of the supply means E for continuously and quantitativelyfeeding the concrete F, the structure of the belt conveyor G, and thestructure of the tripper H provided on the belt conveyor G, except forthe structure stated clearly above.

(5) Ready mixed concrete conveying apparatus according to a fifth mode.

In FIGS. 69-98, there is shown the conveying apparatus according to afifth mode.

The conveying apparatus according to the fifth mode is constituted bythe tower mast A, the lift B arranged on the tower mast A so as to beliftable, and the boom C arranged on the lift B so as to be swingable.

The boom C forming the conveying apparatus is constituted by the innerboom C', and the outer boom C" which is arranged on the inner boom C' soas to be withdrawable into and extensible from the inner boom.

The tower mast A is provided with the container-like carriers D used forconveyance of the ready mixed concrete F so as to be liftable.

In the boom C, the belt conveyor G for conveying the ready mixedconcrete F carried by the carriers D is constructed so that the beltconveyor G" on the outer boom C" takes over the ready mixed concrete Ffrom the belt conveyor G' provided on the inner boom C'.

The boom C, in particular the inner boom C' is provided with thetripper.

The transferring container M which receives the ready mixed concrete Fand feeds out the concrete to the belt conveyor G is provided betweenthe conveyance of the concrete F by the carriers D and the receipt ofthe concrete F by the belt conveyor G.

The transferring container M is constructed so as to be arranged on thelift B, or arranged the boom C provided on the lift B.

The transferring container M includes the receiving container P forreceiving the ready mixed concrete F from the carriers d directly orthrough the transferring means additionally provided, and the supplymeans E for continuously and quantitatively feeding the concrete Freceived into the receiving container P.

The conveying apparatus according to the fifth mode has the same orsubstantially the same structure as the conveying apparatus according tothe first mode and the other modes except that the carriers D are formedas the carriers Db without the supply means E for continuously andquantitatively feeding the ready mixed concrete, and that there isprovided the transferring container M, the transferring container M iscontained in the transferring route between the conveyance of the readymixed concrete by the carriers D and the conveyance of the ready mixedconcrete F by the belt conveyor G, and the transferring container M isconstituted by the container P for receiving the ready mixed concrete Fand the supply means E for continuously and quantitatively feeding thereceived concrete F.

The operation and the functions of the constituent elements in theconveying apparatus constructed according to the fifth mode are the sameor substantially the same as those of the conveying apparatus accordingto the first mode and the other modes except that the carriers D areformed as the carriers Db without the supply means E, and except for theoperation and the functions brought into by the provision of thetransferring container M, i.e. except that the ready mixed concrete F isput into the transferring container M from the carriers D without beingdirectly, continuously and quantitatively directed to the belt conveyorG, and then the concrete F received into the transferring container M iscontinuously and quantitatively fed to the belt conveyor G. For thesereasons, the constituent elements which are the same or substantiallythe same structure, or the same or substantially the same functions asthose of the conveying apparatuses according to the other modes areindicated by the same reference symbols, and explanations on theseelements will be omitted.

The tower mast A constructed according to the fifth mode is standed insuch a state that it is fixed on an installation site.

The tower mast A may be constructed so that there is additionallyprovided movable means such as rails to make the tower mast movable.

The tower mast A may be rotatable at the installation site, i.e. berotatable using the vertical axis of the tower mast A as a rotary axisthough the tower mast in this mode is not rotatable.

The tower mast A having such a structure is constructed so that it isformed in substantially the same manner as the other modes, i.e. thatthe main masts 3a . . . 3a formed as pipes are standed at four corners,the auxiliary posts 3b . . . 3b are standed between the main masts 3a,3a, and the cross bars 3c . . . 3c are arranged between adjacent mainmasts 3a and auxiliary posts 3b, and between the paired auxiliary posts3b, 3b provided between the main mast 3a, 3b standed with a widerdistance to form the mast frames 3.

The mast frames 3 thus constructed have the spaces 4, 4 for lifting thecarriers D extended in a pair in the vertical direction of the mastframes 3, and have lower portions formed with the openings 95 for takingin the motor-driven carts. The mast frames 3 include openings withchutes operable therein at positions for taking out the concrete F fromthe carriers D.

In the tower mast A having such a structure, the lift B is assembled tothe tower mast so as to be engaged with the tower mast from outwardly,using the main masts 3a . . . 3a as guides, and the lift B is movable inthe vertical direction.

The raising and lowering operation of the lift B with respect to thetower mast A is carried out by climbing operation such as the movableoperation of the lifting frames 20, 21 in the vertical direction by thelifting hydraulic cylinders 23 provided on the lifting frames 20, 21forming the lift B, and the operation to lock the lifting frames 20, 21to the main masts 3a by the hydraulic cylinders 24 provided on the liftB.

The lift B which is provided on the tower mast A is constructed so thatthe climbing means for the lift B is constituted by the upper liftingframe 20 and the lower lifting frame 21 which are assembled to the mastframes 3 so as to be engaged therewith from outwardly is provided as abase and that the lift includes e.g. the main stage 18 and the auxiliarystage 19.

The upper lifting frame 20 and the lower lifting frame 20 which form thelift B are constructed so that they can be alternately moved in thevertical direction by the lifting hydraulic cylinders 24, and that bothframes can be locked to the tower mast A at each stopping level by thehydraulic cylinders 24.

To the upper lifting frame 20 forming the lift B are assembled the mainstage 18 assembled to the mast frames 3 so as to be engaged therewithfrom outwardly, the stage posts 18A provided on the main stage 18 so asto surround the mast frame A, the supporting frame 110 positioned abovethe stage post 18A and coupled thereto by e.g. the poles 111 and so on,thereby forming the lift B as a whole.

The lower lifting frame 21 forming the lift B is provided with theauxiliary stage 19 like one unit, and the lower lifting frame 21 and theauxiliary stage 19 form the lift B as well.

The lifting frames 20, 21, the main stage 18, the auxiliary stage 19 andso on are assembled to the tower mast A so as to be engaged therewithfrom outwardly, and these members can be raised and lowered on the towermast A by the climbing means. These members have basically the samestructure as those in the respective modes.

In FIGS. 73-77, there are shown how to assemble the respective liftingframes 20, 21 as the lifting means for the lift B to the main masts 3a,and the arrangement of the respective hydraulic cylinders 23, 24. Onlythe main constituent elements are schematicly shown. The constituentelements to carry out the lifting operation for the lift B have the samestructure as those to carry out the lifting operation in the conveyingapparatus according to the other modes though the lifting meansaccording to the fifth mode is different from that of the other modese.g. in that the receivers 26 which receive the plunger rods 24b of thehydraulic cylinders 24 provided on the lifting frames 20, 21 are formedas slightly elongated holes 26', and that receiving cylinders 25a' toguide the plunger rods 24b are provided on the lifting frames 20, 21,and the hydraulic cylinders 24 for driving the plunger rods 24b areprovided on the lifting frames 20, 21 by cylinder supporting frames 25'.

In the conveying apparatus according to the fifth mode, in order tocarry out lifting operation for the lift B, the lifting frames 20, 21,the main stage 18, the stage post 18A, the auxiliary stage 19 and othermembers forming the lift B include rotatable guide rollers 135, and theguide rollers 135 carry out sliding and rotating movement on guide rails136 which are provided on the tower mast A, in particular the main masts3a to extend in the vertical direction.

The guide rails 136 which are provided on the main masts 3a areconstructed so that rail backing strips 136a which are secured to thepipe-like main masts 3a so as to pinch a part of the peripheral surfacesof the main masts and which are formed in an L-character shape arewelded to the tower mast A at the four corners thereof in the verticaldirection, and that the respective guide rails 136, 136 are arranged onorthogonal surfaces of the rail backing strips 136a which are arrangedon the outer edges of the main masts 3a to extend in the verticaldirection.

The guide rollers 135 which slide and rotate on the guide rails 136 arearranged so that a pair of the guide rollers 135, 135 which are providedat the four corners of e.g. the lifting frames 20, 21 assembled to thetower mast A so as to engage therewith from outwardly are positioned soas to have their rotary axes orthogonally directed, and that these guiderollers 135 . . . 135 sandwich the tower mast A from the four corners.

In Figures, reference numeral 135a designates the rotary axis of theguide rollers 135.

The raising and lowering operation of the lift B according to this modeis carried out so that the operation for drawing the plunger rods 24bfrom the receivers 26' is made before the raising operation and thelowering operation of the lifting hydraulic cylinders 23 because theportions for receiving the plunger rods 24b of the hydraulic cylinders24 are formed as the elongated holes 26'. The other basic raising andlowering operation of the lift B is substantially the same as that inthe other modes.

The lift B which has such a structure and is provided on the tower mastA is arranged on the tower mast A so as to be vertically movabletogether with the main stage 18 arranged to the tower mast A so as toengage therewith from outwardly along with the lifting frames 20, 21,the stage posts 18A arranged on the main stage 18, the supporting frame110 arranged on the tower mast A so as to engage therewith fromoutwardly and coupled to the stage post by the connecting poles 111, theauxiliary stage 19 and so on. In addition, the supporting frames 112,the supporting frames 192, supporting frames 137 and so on are assembledto the tower mast like one unit.

The boom C is assembled to the lift B in such a manner to be swingableupwardly and downwardly using the shaft 34. The mounting portion of theboom C using the shaft 34 is assembled to the lift B using a boomswinging device 33 substantially similar to the boom swinging device 33used in the first mode.

In detail, the swinging table supporter 33c which is provided on thelift B has the swinging table 33a assembled thereto through the bearing.The swinging table 33a has the bearing portion for the boom C, i.e. thebearing portion for the shaft 34 in this example provided thereon,allowing the boom C to be swingable in the horizontal direction withrespect to the lift B.

The boom C which is arranged so as to be swingable in the horizontaldirection with respect to the lift B in that manner is constituted bythe inner boom C' and the outer boom C" arranged on the inner boom C' soas to be withdrawable and extensible therefrom, and is supported by thesupporting frames 109, 137 having ends pivoted on the supporting frame110 and by sub poles 138.

The arrangement of the devices for swinging the boom C in the horizontaldirection is in such a manner that the boom C has a lower side providedwith a pinion 139 driven by an electric motor (not shown), that the liftB, in particular the main stage 18 has an upper side provided with arail 140 which extends in a half-circle shape in plan along ahalf-circle shaped track having the swinging shaft of the boom swingingdevice 33 as the center of rotation, and that the rail 140 has an outerside formed with a rack 140a which the pinion is engaged with, therebyallowing the boom C to be swingable in the horizontal direction withrespect to the lift B.

There is provided a locking device 141 as means for holding the boom Cin a regular position, i.e. means for stopping swinging the boom in theposition shown in FIGS. 71 and 78 in the specific example.

The locking device 141 is constituted by a lock pin 142b which iscarried on a plunger rod 142a of a hydraulic cylinder 142 provided onthe lift B, and an engagement hole 143 which is formed in the lower sideof the swingable boom C. When the engagement hole 143 of the boom C islocated just above the lock pin 142b, the lock pin 142b can be insertedinto the engagement hole 143.

As with the other modes, the boom C is constituted by the inner boom C'arranged on the lift B, and the outer boom C" arranged on the inner boomC' so as to be extensible in and with drawable from the inner boom, andis constructed so that the ready mixed concrete F on the belt conveyorG' provided on the boom C can be taken over to the belt conveyor G" onthe outer boom C" by the tripper H.

The structure which allows the outer boom C" on the boom C to bewithdrawn in and extended from the inner boom C' is substantially thesame as the structures which have been clarified with respect to theother modes. In Figures, reference numeral 40 designates an electricmotor which is used to move the outer boom C".

The belt conveyors C', C" which are provided on the boom C include thedriving pulleys 46, 50 which are driven, respectively, by the electricmotors 48, 52, and the driven pulley 47, 49, the conveyor belts 45, 51being extended between the driving pulley 46 and the driven pulley 47and between the driving pulley 50 and the driven pulley 49,respectively. The belt conveyors can convey and guide the concrete Fconveyed by the carriers D to a concrete placing position.

How to arrange the belt conveyor G on the boom C in this mode issubstantially the same as that in the other modes.

The belt conveyor G is provided with the tripper H which can take outthe concrete F conveyed by the belt conveyor G, at an arbitrary positionon the way of conveyance on the belt conveyor.

Although the inner boom C' and the outer boom C" may include,respectively the trippers H, the tripper H may be provided only on theinner boom C' like this mode.

The tripper H which is provided on the boom C in this mode hassubstantially the same structure as the tripper H used in the first modeexcept that the chute 55 is constituted by a swingable chute 55A, afixed chute 55B for delivering the concrete F supplied from theswingable chute 55A toward laterally of the belt conveyor G, and a fixedchute 55C for delivering the concrete F supplied from the swingablechute 55A to the belt conveyor G" on the outer boom C".

In detail, in the tripper H, a guide frame 57A forming the guide surface57 has an end mounted by a shaft 151 to the traveling frame 59 which hasthe truck 58 with the wheels 58a. The guide frame has the other endmounted to the traveling frame 59 by an adjusting screw pole 145 with ahandle 145a so as to be liftable. The traveling frame 59 has theswingable chute 55A and the fixed chutes 55B, 55C provided thereon.

The tripper H which is constructed according to this mode includes astructure to drive the wheels 58a by an electric motor 62 provided onthe truck 58, is provided with overturn-preventing means 144, and ismovable on the rails 61.

The guide frame 57A has a lower side at the top end and at a lowerposition provided with the pulleys 56, 56. The conveyor belt 45 of thebelt conveyor G' which is guided along the guide surface 57 formed bythe rollers 60 . . . 60 of the guide frame 57A is turned another way bya pulley 56a of the pulleys 56 at the top end, and the conveyor belt 45is further turned another way by a pulley 56b at the middle portion onthe lower side of the guide frame 57A, thereby being guided toward theoutermost end of the boom C' by a pulley 56c provided on the travelingframe 59, in particular on the truck 58.

In order to take out the ready mixed concrete F fed by the belt conveyorG', the chute 55 is provided below the conveyor belt 45, in particularbelow the pulley 56a of the conveyor belt 45, which is turned by thepulley 56a at the top end of the guide frame 57A and is bent in anS-character shape by being further turned by the pulleys 56b, 56c.

The swingable chute 55A which is used in this mode includes an upperchute 55A' opened to a box-shaped chute 146 for receiving the readymixed concrete F delivered from the leading end of the pulley 56a, alower chute 55A extended from the upper chute in a bending manner. Arotary shaft 147 for the swingable chute 55A is provided on thetraveling frame 59 to extend on the axial center line of the upper chute55A' having a rectangular shape in section. The swingable chute 55A isassembled to the rotary shaft so as to be rotatable, thereby presentinga structure to swing the lower chute 55A" with respect to the upperchute 55A'.

In detail, in the swingable chute 55A, the rotary shaft 147 provided onthe traveling frame 59 is fitted into a bearing portion 148 formed on alower side of the upper chute 55A'. The swingable chute 55A is mountedto the rotary shaft 147 so as to be rotatable. The bearing portion 148has an arm 149 fixed thereto, and the arm 149 has the leading endconnected to the leading end of a plunger rod 150a of a hydrauliccylinder 150 provided on the traveling frame 59, thereby allowing theswingable chute to be swung.

The traveling frame 59 has the fixed chute 55C provided thereon at aposition where the concrete F is received from the swingable chute 55Awhen the lower chute 55A' of the swingable chute 55A is turned at aposition in front of the leading end of the conveyor belt 45 by thehydraulic cylinder 150. The concrete F is delivered onto the beltconveyor G" of the outer boom C" through the fixed chute 55C.

The traveling frame 59 also has the fixed chute 55B provided thereon ata lateral position of the front end of the traveling frame 59, i.e. at aposition where the concrete F is received from the swingable chute 55Awhen the swingable chute 55A is turned through substantially 90° fromthe position stated just above by the hydraulic cylinder 150 to locatethe lower chute 55A' of the swingable chute 55A at the lateral positionof the leading end of the conveyor belt 45. The concrete F is deliveredto a concrete placing surface through the fixed chute 55B.

The container-like carriers D which are provided on the tower mast A soas to be liftable are constructed as the container-like carriers Dbwithout the continuous supply means E in the example shown, and thecarriers are provided in a suspended state in a pair of the spaces 4, 4defined by the mast frames 3 of the tower mast A.

The carriers Db are constructed so that the lifting winches 63 providedon the main stage 18, the guide sheaves 64 provided on the top of thetower mast A, and the counter weights 102 are used, and that the wireropes 65 operated by each lifting winch 63 have one side of endsconnected to the related carrier Db and the other side of ends connectedto the related weight 102 so as to suspend the carrier and the counterweight through the guide sheaves 64.

In the example shown, the winding drums 67 are driven by the electricmotors 66 through the electromagnetic brakes 68 and the reduction gears69, respectively. The wire ropes 65a, 65a which are wound on therespective winding drums from a lower side thereof are directed onto thesheaves 64a, 64a, and have the related counter weight 102 suspendedtherefrom. The wire ropes 65b, 65b which are wound on the respectivewinding drums 67 from an upper side thereof are directed onto thesheaves 64b, 64b, and have the related carrier Db suspended therefrom.

The container-like carriers Db which are raised and lowered along thetower mast A by the lifting winches 63 are constructed, in the exampleshown, so that the carriers are raised and lowered by the liftingcarriers K, and that the lifting carriers K have the wire ropes 65secured thereto.

The lifting operation of the carriers Db by the lifting winches 63 issubstantially the same as the lifting operation described with referenceto the other modes.

The carriers Db are constructed so that the carriers do not include thesupply means E for continuously and quantitatively delivering theconcrete F unlike the carriers Da used in the conveying apparatusaccording to the first mode. The carriers Db may have any kinds ofstructure as long as the carriers are formed as containers which have abottom formed with opening and closing means and house the ready mixedconcrete F therein.

The lifting carriers K which are used to raise and lower thecontainer-like carriers Db are constructed so that engagementprojections are formed on each carrier K so as to be hooked at flanges154a of the related carrier Db entering from a lateral side of thecarrier K, and that the flanges 154a of the carrier Db hook at theengagement projections 152e to be suspended therefrom.

Each lifting carrier K used in this mode is constituted by a pair ofside frames 152a, 152a constructed in a substantially isosceles triangleshape, an upper frame 152b connected between top ends of the side frames152a, 152a, and a lower frame 152c connected between substantiallycentral portions of a paired of horizontal poles 152a', 152a' of theopposed side frames 152a. Supporting poles 152d for the relatedcontainer-like carrier Db are arranged so as to be suspended from edgesof the horizontal poles 152a' of the side frames 152a. The engagementprojections 152e which are arranged on lower ends of the supportingpoles 152d suspended from one of the opposed side frames 152a, and theengagement projections 152e arranged on lower ends of the supportingpoles 152d suspended from the other side frame 152a are projected so asto face each other.

Each carrier K is constructed so that two sets of guide rollers 153A and153B which are different in the extending direction of the rotary axesin the respective sets are provided on each top of the side frames 152aand on the horizontal poles 152a' just below each top so as to projectoutwardly, and that the guide rollers make driving and rotating movementon the paired guide rails 89 provided in the spaced 4, 4 defined in thetower mast A.

The guide rails 89 which are arranged in the spaces 4 are arranged so asto extend vertically along the opposed surfaces of the respective spaces4, and the guide rails are fixed on the auxiliary posts 3b and the crossbars 3c.

One set 153A of the two sets of guide rollers, which make sliding androtating movement on each guide rail 89 comprises paired rollers, andthe paired rollers are arranged to sandwich the guide rail 89 from bothsides.

The other set of guide roller 153B which makes sliding and rotatingmovement on each guide rail 89 is arranged so that the roller rotatesalong the top end surface of the guide rail 89.

Each container-like carrier Db which is raised and lowered in thesuspended state by the related lifting carrier K is constructed so thata container main body 154 for housing the ready mixed concrete F has atop edge formed with the flanges 154a, that the flanges 154a can behooked at the engagement projections 152e of the lifting carrier K totake the container main body into the lifting carrier K and suspend thecontainer main body from the lifting carrier, and that the containermain body can be taken out of the lifting carrier K.

In each container-like carrier Db, the container main body 154 has abottom formed with a discharge port 155 having a rectangular shape insection, and the discharge port 155 has an opening 155a formed with anopenable cover 156 for closing the opening.

The cover 156 includes a pair of side plates 156a which are extended tosandwich both sides of the discharge port 155, and a covering plate 156bwhich can extend between the side plates 156a, 156a to close the frontend of the opening 155a and is formed to arc in section. The coveringplate 156b of the cover 156 can be closely in contact with the openingedge of the opening 155a of the discharge port 155, which is formed bythe leading edges of the side plates 155b as arced edges 155c.

The cover 156 for closing the opening 155a of the discharge port 155 isassembled to the discharge port 155 at the side plates 156a so as to berotatable with shafts 157, and the cover 156 is constructed so that itis urged by a coiled spring 158 in the direction of normally closing theopening 155a.

The cover 156, which is urged by the coiled spring 158, normally has theleading end in the closing direction elastically contacted to a stopper159 which is arranged at a lower end of the opening 155a of thedischarge port 155.

The cover 156 which is normally urged in the closing direction by thecoiled spring 158 can be opened against action of the coiled spring byextending a plunger rod 160a of a hydraulic cylinder 160 provided oneach movable chute 165 which will be explained. The opening of the cover156 against the coiled spring can be released by withdrawing operationof the plunger rod 160a to close the cover 156 under action of thecoiled spring 158.

In Figures, reference numeral 160b designates a protection cover whichcovers the plunger rod 160a and is formed in a bellows like shape.Reference numeral 193 designates a reaction receiver for making eachcarrier Db stand still in a proper manner.

In the example shown, a sliding member 161 which is moved by guide rods162 is provided at a position where the plunger 160a of the hydrauliccylinder 160 provided on each movable chute 165 has the leading edgecontacted when the movable chute 165 is moved below the related carrierDb, in particular below the related discharge port 155.

In the sliding member 161 which is guided by the guide rods 162, theupper and lower guide rods 162, 162 which extend between rod frames162a, 162a in the horizontal direction are assembled to upper and lowerguide holes 161a in the sliding member so as to be inserted thereinto,and the guide rods can be moved by the extending operation of theplunger rod 160a.

A chain 163 has one end secured to the sliding member 161 and the otherend secured to the cover 156. The cover 156 which is normally urgedtoward the closing direction under action of the coiled spring 158 pullsthe sliding member 161 to draw the sliding member toward the directionof contacting with the plunger rod 160a. The chain 163 which has the oneend 163a secured to the sliding member 161 is passed around sprockets164, 164 provided on a portion except for the cover 156, and the otherend 163b of the chain is secured to the cover 156.

Securing the chain 163 to the cover 156 is made at a position where thecover 156 which is assembled to the discharge port 155 by the shafts 157so as to be rotatable can be swung and pulled in the direction againstaction of the coiled spring 158.

In the opening and closing structure for the cover 156 which isconstructed as stated above, each movable chute 165 is moved to locatethe opening of the chute 165 below the opening 155a, and the plunger rod160a of the hydraulic cylinder 160 provided on the movable chute 165 isextended to push the sliding member 161 against action of the coiledspring 158, causing the cover 156 to rotate around the shafts 157 toopen the opening 155a of the discharge port 155.

In order to stop taking out the ready mixed concrete F from thedischarge port 155, the plunger rod 160a is withdrawn to release thepressing force to the sliding member 161, causing the cover 156 to berotated by the urging force of the coiled spring 158 until the covercontacts the stopper 159. Thus, the opening 155a of the discharge port155 is closed.

Each movable chute 165 which takes the concrete F out of the relatedcarrier Db and supplies the concrete to the transferring container M isarranged so as to be movable in the horizontal direction, keeping aslant position with respect to a mounting frame 166 which is provided onthe stage post 18A.

Horizontal guide frames 166a which are secured to the mounting frame 166so as to direct opened surfaces inwardly are combined with slidingframes 166b which are secured to each movable chute 165 so as to directopened surfaces to the movable chute, thereby making the movable chutesmovable. In particular, the sliding frames 166b which are arranged onboth sides of each movable chute 165 are housed in the horizontal guideframes 166a, thereby allowing the sliding frames 166b to be moved in thehorizontal guide frames 166a.

The horizontal guide frames 166a have hydraulic cylinders 167 mountedthereto at the side opposite to the side of projecting the slidingframes 166b, and the hydraulic cylinders 167 have the leading edges ofplunger rods 167a mounted to the leading edges of the sliding frame 166bin the sliding frame housed in the horizontal guide frames. Thehydraulic cylinders 167 are activated to move the movable chutes 165 inthe horizontal direction.

The movable chutes 165 comprise two chutes which are arranged so as tocorrespond to the two container-like carriers Db, Db provided on thetower mast A and so as to be movable in the horizontal direction,maintaining a predetermined tilt angle with respect to the mountingframe 166.

When the carriers Db are moving in the tower mast A, the horizontallymovable chutes 165 are directed out from the tower mast A, in particularfrom the spaces 4 toward the mounting frame 166. When the movable chutesreceive the ready mixed concrete F from the carriers Db guided to theuppermost portion of the tower mast A, the movable chutes can be movedinto the spaces 4 of the tower mast A to be located in a proper mannerat positions for receiving the ready mixed concrete F from the carriersDb.

The mounting frame 166 has fixed chutes 168 provided thereon tocommunicate with the movable chutes 165 and below the movable chuteswhen the movable chutes 165 are located at the positions for receivingthe ready mixed concrete F from the carriers Db.

The fixed chutes 168 are arranged not to obstruct the raising andlowering operation of the carriers Db in the tower mast A, and the fixedchutes supply the ready mixed concrete F from the movable chutes 165 tothe transferring container M.

The lift B, i.e. the stage posts 18A assembled to the main stage 18 asone unit in the example shown has a table frame 169 integrally assembledthereto together with the mounting frame 166, and the table frame 169has the transferring container M provided thereon.

The transferring container M is constructed so that its upper portion isformed as the receiving container P and it has a lower portion providedwith the supply means E. The ready mixed concrete F which is receivedinto the receiving container P can be continuously and quantitativelydelivered by the supply means E through a chute 170a therefrom.

As shown in FIGS. 87-89, the transferring container M is constructed sothat e.g. a hopper-shaped container main body 170 forms the receivingcontainer P, the container main body has a top portion formed with anopening 170b, and the container main body 170 is formed to be downwardlytapered and has a hopper-shaped lower opening 170c located above aconveyor belt 171a of a belt conveyor 171. This arrangement provides thesupply means E which continuously and quantitatively takes out the readymixed concrete F housed in the container main body 170 from the loweropening 17c, depending on the amount of the ready mixed concrete Fconveyed out by driving the belt conveyor 170l. Thus, the supply means Eis formed as a so-called belt feeder.

The ready mixed concrete F which is delivered out of the lower opening170c is guided in a space 173 which is defined by an upper surface ofthe conveyor belt 171a of the belt conveyor 171 and a cylindrical guideportion 172 formed so as to surround the conveyor belt 171a. Theconcrete F which is carried into the space 173 is delivered from thechute 170a toward the conveyor belt G.

An adjusting gate plate 174 is arranged so as to be inserted into theconveyance space 173 for the ready mixed concrete F defined by thecylindrical guide portion 172 and the conveyor belt 171a. The amount ofthe ready mixed concrete F which is conveyed in the space 173 can beadjusted by the adjusting gate plate 174.

The adjusting gate plate 174 can be vertically moved by a plunger rod175a of a hydraulic cylinder 175 provided on the container main body170. The gate plate is inserted from above the guide portion 172 intothe space 173 so as to adjust the insertion depth of the gate.

The adjusting gate plate 174 is arranged to be in a direction orthogonalto the moving direction of the conveyor belt 171a. It is preferable thatthe gate plate is arranged to extend throughout the entire width of thespace in the the orthogonal direction.

In Figures, reference numerals 167 designates an electric motor, andreference numeral 177 designates a reduction gear unit. A sprocket 179coaxial with a driving pulley 178 of the conveyor belt 171a, and asprocket 180 coaxial with the reduction unit 177 are driven by a chain181, and there is provided a driven pulley 182 for the conveyor belt171a.

Now, another type of the transferring container M shown in FIGS. 90-92will be explained.

This type of transferring container M is constructed so that it has anupper portion formed as the receiving container P and a lower portionprovided with the supply means E, and that the ready mixed concrete Freceived into the receiving container P can be continuously andquantitatively delivered by the supply means E through a chute 183athereof.

The transferring container M is constructed so that e.g. a hopper-shapedcontainer main body 183 forms the receiving container P, the containermain body has a top portion formed with an opening 183b, and thecontainer main body 183 is formed to be downwardly tapered and has ahopper-shaped lower opening 183c located above a screw 184a of a screwfeeder 184. The screw feeder 184 are used as the supply means E for theconcrete F, and the screw 184a is driven to continuously andquantitatively take out the concrete F housed in the container main body183 through the lower opening 183c.

The ready mixed concrete F which is delivered from the lower opening183c is guided in a space 186 defined by the screw 184a of the screwfeeder 184 and a cylindrical guide portion 185 formed so as to surroundthe screw 184a. The concrete F which is carried in the space 186 iscontinuously and quantitatively taken out from the chute 183a.

An adjusting gate plate 187 is arranged so as to be inserted into theconveyance space 186 for the concrete F defined by the guide portion 185and the screw 184a. The amount of the ready mixed concrete F which isconveyed in the space 186 can be adjusted by the adjusting gate plate187.

The adjusting gate plate 187 can be vertically moved by a plunger rod188a of a hydraulic cylinder 188 provided on the container main body183. The gate plate can be inserted into the space 186 from above theguide portion 185 so as to adjust the insertion depth.

The gate plate 187 is arranged in a direction orthogonal to the axialdirection of the screw 184a. It is preferable that the gate plate isarranged to extend throughout the entire width of the space in theorthogonal direction. In particular, the gate plate has a lower portioncut out in an arched shape to be apart from the outer periphery of thescrew 184a with equal spaces.

In Figures, reference numeral 189 designates an electric motor, andreference numeral 190 designates a reduction unit. The screw 184a has ashaft coupled through a coupling 191 to the reduction unit 190 driven bythe electric motor 189 through a belt 192, thereby to be rotated by theelectric motor 189.

By the way, each container-like carrier Db which is provided on thetower mast A so as to be liftable can be conveyed by having the flanges154a removably hooked over the related carrier K.

From this standpoint, in order that each container-like carrier Db canenter the tower mast A, each carrier can be conveyed into the tower mastA by using a cart 195 movable on rails 194. Each container-like carriercan have the flanges 154a hooked over the related lifting carrier K tobe suspended therefrom.

Each cart 195 which is used to move each carrier Db is constructed sothat one of pairs of wheels 195a work as driven wheels 195a' and aredriven by an electric motor 196 provided on the cart 195. The cart 195has four corners on an upper portion provided with guide pins 191, whichproject upwardly so as to be housed in guide holes (not shown) providedin an upper side of the carrier Db, thereby allowing the carrier Db tobe put on the cart 195 without shifting sideway thereon.

In Figures, reference numeral 198 designates sprockets which arearranged at the side of the motor 196 and at the side of the drivingwheels 195a'. Reference numeral 199 designates a chain which is passedaround the sprocket 198, 198.

The conveying apparatus according to the fifth mode constructed asstated above and shown in FIGS. 69-98 has substantially the sameoperation and structure as the conveying apparatus according to theother modes except for the operation and structure stated above, such asthe lifting operation and the structure of the lift B with respect tothe tower mast A, the extending and withdrawing operation, the swingingoperation and the structure of the boom C, the lifting operation and thestructure of the container-like carriers Db, the transferring operationand the structure of the belt conveyor G on the boom C, the takeoutoperation and the structure of the ready mixed concrete F by the tripperH on the boom C, and the takeout operation and the structure of theready mixed concrete F by the supply means E.

(6) Ready mixed concrete conveying apparatus according to a sixth mode

In FIGS. 99-100 there is shown the conveying apparatus according to asixth mode.

The conveying apparatus according to the sixth mode is constructed sothat it comprises the tower mast A, the lift B arranged at the towermast A so as to be liftable, the rotary portion N arranged on the lift Bso as to be rotatable, and the boom C which is arranged on the rotaryportion N and which comprises two connected booms C', C".

The tower mast A is provided with container-like carriers D used forconveyance of the ready mixed concrete F so as to be liftable.

The boom C is provided with the belt conveyor G for conveyance of theconcrete F, and the boom C, in particular the inner boom C' is providedwith the tripper H.

The lift B, the boom C or the rotary portion N is provided with thetransferring container M.

The lift B, the boom C, or the transferring container M arranged on therotary portion B includes the receiving container P which receives theready mixed concrete from the container-like carriers D directly orthrough the transferring means such as a chute, and the supply means Efor continuously and quantitatively delivering the received ready mixedconcrete F to the conveyance belt conveyor G directly or through theconveying means additionally provided.

In the conveying apparatus having such a structure, the ready mixedconcrete F which has been carried up from a lower portion of the towermast A by the container-like carriers Db without the supply means E isdelivered into the transferring container M directly or through theconveying means additionally provided, and is continuously andquantitatively fed to the belt conveyor G of the boom C directly orthrough the other additionally provided conveying means by the supplymeans E which is provided on the transferring container M tocontinuously and quantitatively feed out the ready mixed concrete.

As a result, the ready mixed concrete F which is continuously andquantitatively supplied can be continuously supplied toward a concreteplacing target position from an arbitrary position of the belt conveyorG or the leading end of the belt conveyor G by using the tripper H.

Locating the supply position of the ready mixed concrete F toward theconcrete placing position can be made by e.g. moving operation of thetower mast A using the rails 17, determination of the lifting positionof the lift B, angular location of the rotary portion N arranged on thelift B, determination of displacing position of the tripper H arrangedon the boom C with respect to the boom C, and extending and withdrawingoperation of the outer boom C".

The conveying apparatus according to the sixth mode has the same orsubstantially the same structure as the conveying apparatus according tothe fourth mode except that the ready mixed concrete F which is carriedup the container-like carriers Db is delivered to the transferringcontainer M which includes the receiving container P for receiving theconcrete F from the container-like carriers Db directly or throughsuitable transferring means such as the conveying means L additionallyprovided, and the supply means E for continuously and quantitativelyfeeding out the received concrete F, and the concrete F which has beenreceived in the transferring container M is further delivered to thebelt conveyor G continuously and quantitatively.

The operation and the functions of the constituent elements of the sixthmode are the same or substantially the same as those of the conveyingapparatus according to the fourth mode except for the differences statedabove.

For this reason, the constituent elements which have the same orsubstantially the same structure, or the same or substantially samefunctions as the conveying apparatus according to the fourth mode areindicated by the same reference symbols, and explanation on thoseelements will be omitted.

The conveying apparatus according to the sixth mode having such astructure and shown in FIGS. 99-100 is the same or substantially thesame as the conveying apparatus according to the fourth mode in terms ofthe operation manner and the structure of the apparatus, except for thestructure which is different from the fourth mode as clearly statedabove, i.e. the running manner and the structure of the tower mast A,the lifting manner and the structure of the lift, the assembling mannerand the structure of the boom C, the supply manner and the structure ofthe ready mixed concrete from the container-like carriers D, thefunction and the structure of the supply means E for continuously andquantitatively feeding out the ready mixed concrete F, the structure ofthe belt conveyor G, and the structure to take out the ready mixedconcrete F from the belt conveyor G with or without the tripper H.

The conveying apparatus shown in FIG. 99 is constructed so that thetransferring container M is arranged on the rotary portion N, inparticular on the boom C provided on the rotary portion N, and that theready mixed concrete F is continuously and quantitatively delivered tothe belt conveyor G by the supply means E which is arranged on thetransferring container M and which feeds out the ready mixed concrete Fcontinuously and quantitatively.

In the conveying apparatus shown in FIG. 99, the conveying means L suchas a rotary feeder is provided so as to rotate around the tower mast Aas means to deliver to the transferring container M the ready mixedconcrete F which has been carried up the container-like carriers Dbprovided on the tower mast A.

The conveying means L is constructed so that it is arranged between thelift B and the rotary portion N provided on the lift B so as to have noobstacle to the lifting movement of the lift B or the rotary movement ofthe rotary portion N like the conveying means L forming a part of theconveying apparatus according to the fourth mode.

The conveying apparatus shown in FIG. 99 is constructed so that theready mixed concrete F which has been carried up the container-likecarriers D is delivered to the conveying means L from the container-likecarriers Db directly or through the transferring means such as a chute,and that the ready mixed concrete F which has been received into theconveying means L is further delivered through the chute 199 to thetransferring container M, in particular the receiving container Pforming a part of the transferring container M.

Such an arrangement allows the ready mixed concrete F received into thetransferring container M to be continuously and quantitatively fed outto the belt conveyor G of the boom C by the supply means E forcontinuously and quantitatively feeding out the concrete housed in thetransferring container.

The conveying apparatus shown in FIG. 100 is constructed so that thetransferring container M is arranged on the side of the lift B.

The transferring container M which is arranged on the lift B isconstructed so that it includes the receiving container P for receivingthe ready mixed concrete F, and the supply means E for continuously andquantitatively feeding out the received ready mixed concrete F.

The transferring container M is constructed so that it receives theready mixed concrete F from the container-like carriers Db throughchutes 198, and that the received concrete F is continuously andquantitatively fed out to the conveying means L.

The conveying means L which receives the ready mixed concrete F from thetransferring container M is constituted by e.g. a rotary feeder arrangedso as to rotate around the tower mast A.

For example, the conveying means L can be constituted by a rotary feederwhich is formed as an annular band to rotate around the tower mast Abetween the lift B, and the rotary portion N rotatably arranged on thelift B.

The ready mixed concrete F which has been transferred to the conveyingmeans L is taken over to the belt conveyor G of the boom C through thechute 199.

The conveying apparatus shown in FIGS. 99 and 100 has the same orsubstantially the same structure as the conveying apparatus according tothe fourth mode except that the supply means E for continuously andquantitatively feeding out the ready mixed concrete F is not arranged oneach container-like carrier Db, and that as a replacement, thetransferring container M is provided with the supply means E forcontinuously and quantitatively feeding out the ready mixed concrete F,and the transferring container M is arranged in the transferring routefor delivering the concrete F between the container-like carriers Db andthe belt conveyor G.

For these reasons, the constituent elements which have the same orsubstantially the same structure as those of the conveying apparatusaccording to the fourth mode are indicated by the same referencesymbols, and explanation on those elements will be omitted.

The transferring container M which is used in the conveying apparatusshown in FIGS. 99 and 100 may have the same structure as thetransferring container M which is used in the conveying apparatusaccording to the fifth mode.

For this reason, the constituent elements which have the same orsubstantially the same structure as those of the transferring containerM used in the conveying apparatus according to the fifth mode areindicated by the same reference symbols, and explanation on theseelements will be omitted.

In this typical type of the ready mixed concrete conveying apparatus,the tower mast A may be standed in a fixed state, and the rotary portionN can have any kinds of structures such as a rotating frame body, and arotating stage body, as long as the rotary portion is rotatably arrangedon the lift B.

The boom C is arranged on the rotary portion N so as to be fixed thereonor be swingable thereon. The boom is provided with the belt conveyor G,and the boom may be formed as a single horizontal frame, or beconstituted by more than two connected booms. The conveying apparatusaccording to the fifth mode constructed stated earlier and shown inFIGS. 69-98 has substantially the same operation manner and structure asthe conveying apparatus according to the other modes except for e.g. thelifting operation and the structure of the lift B with respect to thetower mast A, the rotary operation and the structure of the rotaryportion N with respect to the lift B, the extending and withdrawingoperation, the swinging operation and the structure of the boom C, thelifting operation and the structure of the container-like carriers Db,the conveying operation and the structure of the belt conveyor G on theboom C, the takeout operation and the structure of the ready mixedconcrete F by the tripper H on the boom C, the takeover operation andthe structure by the transferring container M, and the takeout operationand the structure of the ready mixed concrete F by the supply means E.

The various kinds of devices, the structure and the parts which are usedin the respective modes are typical examples of devices, structure andparts. The present invention is not limited to those modes.

For example, the container-like carriers Da and the transferringcontainer M which includes the supply means E for continuously andquantitatively feeding out the ready mixed concrete F may be constructedusing various kinds of feeders without modification.

The running manner of the tower mast A, the turning manner of the towermast A, the standing manner of the tower mast A, the climbing manner ofthe lift B, the rotary manner of the rotary portion N, the swingingmanner of the boom C, the suspending manner of the boom C, the extendingand withdrawing manner of the boom C and so on may be carried out byother manners than those stated above.

The lifting operating manner of e.g. the container-like carriers D andthe lifting carriers K, the constituting manner of the each beltconveyor G', G", the tripper H for taking out the ready mixed concrete Ffrom the belt conveyor G, the various kinds of transferring means suchas the chutes to deliver the ready mixed concrete from thecontainer-like carriers D to the belt conveyor G or the transferringcontainer M, the transferring means such as the chute to deliver theready mixed concrete F from the transferring container M to the beltconveyor G, the supply manner of the ready mixed concrete F to thecontainer-like carriers D and so on may be constituted by other variousmanners than the manners stated earlier.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

The ready mixed concrete conveying apparatus according to the presentinvention can carry up a great deal of ready mixed concrete to atargeted height by the lifting carriers D provided on the tower mast A.The conveying apparatus can guide the ready mixed concrete to a concreteplacing position by the belt conveyor G arranged on the boom C. Becausethe ready mixed concrete is continuously and quantitatively fed out tothe belt conveyor G by the supply means E, it is possible to easily andreliably convey the ready mixed concrete toward the placing position.

As a result, the ready mixed concrete conveying apparatus is appropriateto be used for conveyance of the ready mixed concrete during damconstruction.

The conveying apparatus is also appropriate to be used to convey theready mixed concrete during construction of reinforced concrete piers.

The conveying apparatus is also appropriate to be used to convey theready mixed concrete during construction of a reinforced concretesmokestack.

The conveying apparatus is also appropriate to be used for conveyance ofthe ready mixed concrete during construction of other types of buildingsand other types of constructions than the ones stated earlier.

What is claimed as new and desired to be secured by Letters Patent ofthe United States is:
 1. A ready mixed concrete conveying apparatuscomprising:a tower mast extending vertically having a carrier configuredto carry ready mixed concrete between a receiving position where thecarrier receives concrete and an emptying position where the carrier isemptied of concrete, said receiving position and said emptying positionbeing at different heights; motive means for moving said carrier betweensaid receiving and emptying positions; a lift arranged on the tower mastand configured to move vertically with respect to said tower mast; aboom arranged on the lift to be moveable uniformly and vertically withrespect to said tower mast, said boom extending outwardly from the towermast and the lift and configured to swing horizontally with respect tothe tower mast, the boom having a belt conveyor configured to conveyconcrete away from the carrier and toward an end of the boom distal fromsaid tower mast; motive means for vertically moving said lift and saidboom arranged on said lift in unison; motive means for swinging saidboom horizontally; and a tripper arranged on the belt conveyor at apoint distal from said lift and configured to divert the flow ofconcrete from said belt conveyor to a location below said tripper;wherein the carrier includes supply means for continuously feedingconcrete at a constant rate from the carrier to the belt conveyor toempty the carrier when the carrier is in the emptying position.
 2. Theready mixed concrete conveying apparatus of claim 1, wherein the boom iscomprised of a plurality of connected booms.
 3. The ready mixed concreteconveying apparatus of claim 2, wherein the concrete is fed from thesupply means to the belt conveyor directly.
 4. The ready mixed concreteconveying apparatus of claim 2, further comprising transferring meansadjacent to said belt conveyor for conveying the concrete from thesupply means to the belt conveyor.
 5. The ready mixed concrete conveyingapparatus of claim 1, wherein the concrete is fed from the supply meansto the belt conveyor directly.
 6. The ready mixed concrete conveyingapparatus of claim 1, further comprising transferring means adjacent tosaid belt conveyor for conveying the concrete from the supply means tothe belt conveyor.
 7. The ready mixed concrete conveying apparatus ofclaim 1, wherein the point at which the tripper is arranged on the beltconveyor is adjustable.
 8. A ready mixed concrete conveying apparatuscomprising:a tower mast extending vertically and configured to rotatearound a vertical axis, said tower mast having a carrier configured tocarry ready mixed concrete between a receiving position where thecarrier receives concrete and an emptying position where the carrier isemptied of concrete, said receiving position and said emptying positionbeing at different heights; motive means for moving said carrier betweensaid receiving and emptying positions; a lift arranged on the tower mastand configured to move vertically with respect to said tower mast; aboom arranged on the lift to be moveable uniformly and vertically withrespect to the tower mast, said boom extending outwardly from the towermast and from the lift and having a belt conveyor configured to conveyconcrete away from the carrier and toward an end of the boom distal fromsaid tower mast; motive means for vertically moving said lift and saidboom arranged on said lift in unison; motive means for rotating saidtower mast around said vertical axis; and a tripper arranged on the beltconveyor at a point distal from said lift and configured to divert theflow of concrete from said belt conveyor to a location below saidtripper; wherein the carrier includes supply means for continuouslyfeeding concrete at a constant rate from the carrier to the beltconveyor to empty the carrier when the carrier is in the emptyingposition.
 9. The ready mixed concrete conveying apparatus of claim 8,wherein the boom is comprised of a plurality of connected booms.
 10. Theready mixed concrete conveying apparatus of claim 9, wherein theconcrete is fed from the supply means to the belt conveyor directly. 11.The ready mixed concrete conveying apparatus of claim 9, furthercomprising transferring means adjacent to said belt conveyor forconveying the concrete from the supply means to the belt conveyor. 12.The ready mixed concrete conveying apparatus of claim 8, wherein theconcrete is fed from the supply means to the belt conveyor directly. 13.The ready mixed concrete conveying apparatus of claim 8, furthercomprising transferring means adjacent to said belt conveyor forconveying the concrete from the supply means to the belt conveyor. 14.The ready mixed concrete conveying apparatus of claim 8, wherein thepoint at which the tripper is arranged on the belt conveyor isadjustable.